Mark Dixon Ballif

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KWC1-SBR
• Initiatory (LDS): 17 Apr 1959, SLAKE

Notes:

Obituary:
Mark Dixon Ballif

Mark Dixon Ballif, 82, passed away peacefully September 12, 2014, at t h e University of Utah Hospital from lung cancer.

A son of Mark Squires and Edna Dixon Ballif, he was born in Ogden on Ju n e 18, 1932. He was a graduate of Ogden High School, where he excelle d i n football and basketball under the tutelage of his father, the coach . H e graduated from Weber State College, where he played football and ba sket ball, and received the Standard Examiner/KLO gold watch as the outst andin g athlete of the year.

In April, 1959 he married Kay Anderson. They are the parents of three ch i ldren: Professor Michael E. Ballif (Barbara), Dr. Mark G. Ballif (Carol ee ), and Jan B. Nichols (Michael T.); 13 granddaughters, one grandson, a n d 11 great-grandchildren. He is a member of the LDS church.

Following graduation from Weber State, he received a scholarship to pl a y basketball for BYU, which was interrupted when he was drafted into t h e U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his release from the Army , h e played golf for BYU, where he earned both Bachelor and Master's Deg rees .

During summer quarters, he worked as an assistant golf pro at the Ogde n G olf and Country Club under Ernie Schneiter Sr., where he gained a lov e fo r the game of golf.

Following several years of teaching, he embarked on what would be a li f e time career as a golf course designer, builder, and PGA golf professi on al. He designed and built the Wolf Creek Country Club (formerly Pati o Spr ings) where he was the golf professional for ten years. Mark create d on e of the first junior golf programs in Utah, and taught many youngst ers t o play golf, a few who currently play professionally.

He also designed and built the Bear Lake West golf course, the Green Val l ey course in St. George, the back nine holes at Glenmoor Village in Sou t h Jordan, and the front nine holes at Round Valley in Morgan. In 1973 , h e designed and built the Sherwood Hills Golf Course, which he owned a nd o perated until three weeks ago, when illness prevented him going t o a high er altitude.

Mark believed golf to be the toughest sport to conquer and perfect. He h a d great admiration and respect for all who work in the industry and fo r a ll who play the sport.

He is survived by his wife, three children, 14 grandchildren, and ten gr e at-grandchildren, whom he cherished. He is also survived by his sister , B arbara B. Wade, and brother, Scott W. Ballif. He was preceded in deat h b y his parents and one great-grandchild.

He will be remembered for the fun and laughter he created in his grandch i ldren at the Sherwood Hills Golf Course, Easter egg hunts, Lagoon adven tu res, and the Christmas party balloon pop.

A man of great physical strength and fierce work ethic, his legacy of cr e ativity survives in the rolling fairways and greens he created.

Rest well, superman!

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2 0 1 4 a t Myers Ogden Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd. A viewing will be he l d on Thursday, September 18th from 6 to 8 p.m. and prior to services o n F riday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Mark married Kay Anderson in Apr 1959. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]