AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - June 2021

AZ GOLF INSIDER Digital Edition

JUNE 2021

INTRODUCING: ARIZONA ALLIANCE FOR GOLF Page 10

OUT OF BOUNDS: PHIL MICKELSON

Page 26

DESTINATION: DANZANTE BAY

F O E G N CHA

E S R COU

Ventana Canyon Mountain Course #3

Why Tucson is Your Perfect Golf Getaway…

No umbrella needed. With warm weather and over 300 days of sunshine, you can tee it up all year-round.

Styles for miles. Test your accuracy on tight desert-style courses or go big on more traditional layouts.

Naturally gifted. No matter the course, you’ll find the Sonoran Desert to be one of the most beautiful and unique golf destinations in the world.

Rest and relaxation. Swing by one of our world class spas or treat your significant other while you’re on the course all day.

The main course. After your round, dive into Tucson’s food scene with everything from top flight steakhouses to world famous Mexican food.

Plan your getaway today at VisitTucson.org/Golf

Home of the

2021 AZ SUMMER

TROON CARD

The Phoenician Scottsdale

2021 Arizona Summer Troon Card

Sterling Grove Golf + Country Club Surprise

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club Maricopa

The Westin Kierland Golf Club Scottsdale

Experience 36 of Arizona’s best golf courses with the 2021 Arizona Summer Troon Card!

The 2021 Arizona Summer Troon Card is perfect for the golfer looking to play the top courses throughout the state at the best rates. The Arizona Summer TwoSome Card is just $129 and the Arizona Summer FourSome Card is $169. For each Arizona Summer Troon Card sold, 175 meals will be provided to those in need by St. Mary’s Food Bank. Lock in your summer golf plans at the best rates, while helping those less fortunate.

For more information and to purchase, please visit TroonCard.com.

From the Executive Director’s Desk

N

by Ed Gowan

ow that summer is here and the courses are finally opening up starting times, it’s a great opportunity for those of us here full time to enjoy the great Arizona golf experience.

I see at least 20 rounds in my near future before the madding crowd returns in October.

This is also your time and mine to experience all of Arizona’s courses, especially in the north country and those “expensive in winter” resorts that open their arms to us now. What a great summer we are going to have!

Inside this edition of Az Golf Insider Digital, enjoy Gary Van Sickle’s “Out of Bounds” both celebrating Phil Mickelson’s win and lack of wins in the past. Some of Phil’s misses as he admits are Tiger-related, and there’s no question that is fact; but, his wayward play at Winged Foot’s 18th was epic. Enjoy the trip down Memory Lane.

The NCAA’s concluded this week at Grayhawk, two weeks of men’s and women’s championship golf, stroke play and match play.

Grayhawk once again provided an exceptional experience for the world’s best collegians, from a magnificently conditioned golf course (Raptor) to memorable hospitality. The milk shakes just added a cherry to the top according to the players.

Looking into the future, the AGA is planning future opportunities for golf travel to the best of the best destinations – first in line is Monterey, California’s Poppy Hills, Carmel Valley Ranch and Quail Lodge courses. Following at

in this issue to give you an idea.

Next in line for AZ Golf Insider Digital is the overseeding edition coming your way in August. Play a few of our Virtual Events this summer and enjoy. If you see me in a bunker, I’ll just be practicing.

AZ GOLF Insider Digital Edition

the first of December is a group to Danzante Bay. Take a look at the pictures and video links. There are so many little-known, bucket-list gems to play, and AGA will take you there either in one of our groups or arrange for your own group. Call Anj Brown for more information (602) 944-3035.

Our USGA Services efforts are ramping up now that golf play is slowing. Our teams will be out doing over forty ratings and assessments of the ratings versus scores reported in the World System where there appear to be disconnects. For those interested in learning the Rules and volunteering at events, such as the 16 collegiate events we support each year, we’re planning a series of educational seminars in late September and October. Let us know if you have an interest, and we’ll include you in the prep emails and information coming later this summer.

If you’re looking for a golf escape this summer to next, take a look at the Boyne Resorts in northern Michigan. Whether Boyne Highland, Mountain or Bay Harbor, you will find five star accommodations and wonderful golf. Boyne has been long known for it ski resorts, but locals know that its summer golf is as good as it gets. We have a short segment

June 2021

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS PRESIDENT.................................... Bob McNichols VICE PRESIDENT................................... Tim Brown VICE PRESIDENT .......................... Michelle Cross SECRETARY........................................... John Souza TREASURER....................................... Tim Hulscher GENERAL COUNSEL............................. Greg Mast EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Jackie Bertsch, Vera Ciancola, Barbara Fitzgerald, Bryan Hoops, Jerry Huff, Mark Jeffery, Mike Kane, Leslie Kramer, Ann Martin, Scott McNevin AGA STAFF Ed Gowan, David Bataller, Anj Brown, Alexa Cerra, Le Ann Finger, Tim Eberlein, Brianna Gianiorio, Sharon Goldstone, Lucas Kauffman, Vivian Kelley, Mike Mason, Derek McKenzie, Chris Montgomery, Robyn Noll, Cullen Perron, Kade Peterson, Logan Rasmussen, Kylie Shoemake, Katie Skrbina, Alex Tsakiris, Susan Woods PARTNERSHIP CONTACT Chris Montgomery.................... (602) 872-7011 NATIONAL ADVERTISING CONTACT Brian Foster.................................. (602) 909-7799 THE AZGOLF INSIDER STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.......................... David Bataller AGA EDITOR.......................................... Anj Brown CONTRIBUTORS David Bataller, Anj Brown, Ed Gowan, Gary Van Sickle

Arizona Golf Association 7600 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 130 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 944-3035 | www.AzGolf.org ISSN 2765-9046

AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition

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ON THE COVER The epic 17th Hole at TPC Danzante Bay should be high on the traveling golfer’s bucket list. The Rees Jones design in Loreto, Mexico, will host an AGA event in late November 2021. Head to Page 14 for more at the Islands of Loreto.

INTRODUCING: THE ARIZONA ALLIANCE FOR GOLF

David Bataller

26

Your passport to the future of golf in Arizona.

OUT OF BOUNDS Gary Van Sickle congratulates Phil Mickelson on his sixth major championship. But how many more majors could Phil have won in his Hall of Fame career?

18

BOYNE GOLF The History of Donald Ross Continues to Shine in Northern Michigan. Take a closer look at the 2022 AGA Travel destination.

20

TOURNAMENT RECAP The Spring Season was a busy one for the Arizona Golf Association. Check out the leaderboards of some of the AGA’s biggest tournaments.

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AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition

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June 2021

10

Arizona Golf Association 2021 Monterey Golf Experience September 20-23, 2021

Travel with the Arizona Golf Association in September for the 2021 Monterey Golf Experience. Registration includes three nights lodging at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course, a reception, and three rounds of golf at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Club, and Poppy Hills Golf Club.

Registration Option and Pricing: Single Golfer: $1,550; Two Golfers: $2,300; One Golfer, One Non-Golfer: $1,900 Details: Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course 3 nights lodging - September 20 - 23 in King Bed Nestled within 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination hotel providing travelers with the quintessential Monterey experience and is in close proximity to downtown Monterey, Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well-known attractions.

Quail Lodge & Golf Club Quail Lodge & Golf Club has been awarded “Best Playing Conditions” for all of Central California by GreensKeeper (2016, 2017). Known for its playability, pristine conditions and beautifully manicured greens, our Monterey Peninsula golf course was originally designed by Robert Muir Graves in 1964 and refined in 2015 by Principle Designer Todd Eckenrode – Origins Golf Design. Tee times begin at 1:00 p.m.

Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Club The only Pete Dye-designed, bentgrass golf course in Northern California is right here at Carmel Valley Ranch, and no matter how you slice it (or hook it), this par-70 layout offers something for all players: tactical shots, dramatic elevation changes, incredible scenery. It’s a rollicking good time, ranked among the top resort courses in the country by Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” readers’ survey.

Tee times are TBD. Poppy Hills Golf Club Poppy Hills, home of the Northern California Golf Association and the hidden jewel of Pebble Beach. Immersed in the history of Pebble Beach Resort, the magnificence of Spyglass Hill and the breathtaking views a Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills stands tall in the center of them all providing guests with what our golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. calls “the closest you can get to playing golf in a National Park.” Tee times begin at 10:00 a.m.

For more information and questions, contact: Anj Brown at anj@azgolf.org or 602.872.7022

The AGA Member Advantage program spotlights a premier Arizona golf course and provides a special AGA member-only discount. Offers are only available for a limited time. Look for your AGA Member Advantage page in the PLAY tab at azgolf.org.

Luxurious Living Right on the Golf Course

Acclaimed golf courses with breathtaking views.

Imagine stepping from your back door onto a Jack Nicklaus designed fairway just steps away from the first tee. Now you can make your dreams a reality. Golf course homes and homesites are currently available with views of the 27-hole course at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain and the two 18-hole courses at The Gallery Golf Club.

Expertly crafted homes within a resort-lifestyle community.

Dove Mountain’s preferred builders offer available luxury homes or will help you create a new home.

You can choose from one- to seven-acre homesites within this stunning resort-lifestyle community, which features 50+ miles of Tortolita Mountain trails, the amentities of the 5-star Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Resort & Spa, and all just minutes from downtown Tucson.

Learn more about the Dove Mountain community at DoveMountain.com or call 520.572.8000.

The State of Arizona is fast approaching significant water resource allocation decisions that could severely and negatively affect our game and the businesses that support us.

Golf’s impact in Arizona is largely unknown, underrepresented and misunderstood by many.

As those who love golf, we are also environmentalists and concerned citizens. We aren’t asking for any special treatment, only that which is merited.

All AGA members are also Arizona Alliance members, and you will receive regular communications about this impending effort.

Here are a few facts that you as an AGA member should know: • Contributes $4.6B annually to the Arizona economy • Supports 51,000 direct jobs • 800,000 golf travelers visit annually, playing 3,000,000 rounds. These visitors drive hotel, restaurant and retail purchases • Generates more than $380 million in annual tax revenues for Arizona • Provides immeasurable lifestyle and social value to those of us who enjoy the game There are 10 million rounds played annually in Arizona and 500,000 active Arizona resident golfers. Golf is a key economic driver and represents less than 2% of the state’s water usage.

As an industry, we have been good stewards of Arizona golf, but we have not effectively told our story. Uniting as a coalition under the Alliance, which is free to all, provides us our best opportunity for fair representation in the upcoming water resource allocation conversations.

Creating the Alliance effort: Together we

can build this single-voice Alliance. Together, we will seek to protect and promote golf today and prepare it for future generations. And together, we will continue to be socially responsible as we seek to equitably participate in Arizona water allocation decisions.

As a united voice we will be heard and we will do this together. As a member of the Arizona Golf Association, you are automatically a member of the Alliance, but we need the support of your friends and neighbors to join us as well.

Won’t you help us? Please forward to anyone who has an interest in protecting the game and business of golf; promoting unity among the allied associations; and preparing the way for future generations to enjoy this great game.

You can forward this link: https://azallianceforgolf.org/join-the-alliance/ Or simply show them this QR Code:

Note: Governance of the Alliance includes the major Arizona non-profit golf organizations and many of the private sector golf companies.

Thank you for your support and helping to protect golf in Arizona.

On behalf of AAG, Ed Gowa n Executive Director, Arizona Golf Association

10 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - June 2021

June 2021 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - 11

sonoran cup ARIZONA VS. MEXICO

OCTOBER

22 - 24

1,200

$

E C A L A P N A Y MA P U E RT

O PEÑ

C , MEXI A R O SON A S C O,

T WO-PERSON TEAM INCLUDES:

• Three Rounds of Golf • Two Buffet Lunches • Beer on Course • Raffle & Awards • $12,000* in Visa Gift Cards * based on 20 teams

FORMAT: Friday, October 22 Two-Person Scramble Gross from Black Tees Saturday, October 23 Four-Ball Gross from Blue Tees Sunday, October 23 Four-Ball Gross from White Tees *$500 Course Record Bonus

ONE WEEKEND TWO EVENTS For more information and to register:

AZGOLF.ORG/TRAVEL

O

by Ed Gowan

Arizona Golf Association Executive Director

David Bataller The 5th Hole at TPC Danzante Bay flows down from a canyon to sea level, with stunning views of the Sea of Cortez in the distance.

If you imagine a great Arizona golf course situated in desert canyons, then add an ocean and resort complex and you have TPC Danzante Bay. “We are one of the few courses in the world that offers desert golf, valley golf, mountain golf and of course ocean golf,” said Danny Garcia, Head Golf Professional at TPC Danzante Bay. “What I love about the course is that no holes go back and forth on each other. They are all just carved into the mountainside and around the valleys.”

Owners Owen Perry and Luz Maria Torres have created a “must-visit” destination at Loreto, Mexico along with a master-planned community in one of the world’s iconic natural settings.

Loreto is a small community at the mid-point of the eastern coast of the Baja Peninsula, with islands reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Only these islands are a short 90-minute flight from Phoenix on American Airlines.

“Anyone who comes down here gets enchanted by our vistas, the serenity and the calmness of our golf course and everything that we have,” said Garcia. “We have hiking, snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, paddle boarding, the pools at the resort, the local city of Loreto. There are a lot of things, and spread out so you do not see a lot of people.”

In the TPC at Danzante Bay golf course, Rees Jones has created the kind of layout that every golfer can enjoy, and every golfer will find

14 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - June 2021

David Bataller Sunrise on the signature 17th Hole at TPC Danzante Bay is an experience in itself - one of many at the top-rated golf course in Mexico.

appropriately challenging. One round is sufficient to create unforgettable moments where most will be able to recall each and every hole, so spectacular is the scenery. The highlight for most will be the 17th, a par 3 (pictured above) with tees from 180 to 80 yards. Pick your poison! The AGA’s David Bataller has captured the essence of the signature hole, and TPC Danzante Bay in general, in this video link.

“Our 17th hole is a work of art – it was not in the original plans,” explained Garcia. “Somehow Rees Jones and Owen (Perry) were up on the mountain and somebody had an enlightenment that we need to put a green there on this one cliff towards the ocean on the other side of the valley. Owen said, ‘Come on Rees, can we do this?’ One thing led to another, they rerouted the golf course and now people trek from all over the world just to come down here and take a look at that hole.

“Go up for a sunrise, which is just phenomenal. The 17th totally made our golf course and our resort when people talk about it.”

In addition to the resort and golf, Danzante

Bay is part of the Islands of Loreto which includes the Bahia de Loreto National Park, an 800 square mile marine preserve with only water sports to cloud the horizon. Spending a day at the beach or spa or snorkeling in the tropical fish tank that is the Sea of Cortez almost compensates for losing a ball at #17. A margarita just before dinner would complete the recovery.

“We have a saying here: ‘You have to live it to believe it’ – mostly because pictures will never show you what we have,” said Garcia. “You actually have to come down here and experience it, and we’ll try to make your stay memorable. It is like no other resort that I have travelled to and stayed in.”

This is most certainly going to become a bucket-list adventure stop for any serious golfer, especially since the non-golfers won’t notice any time away on the links: and, the AGA is going to help the journey come to fruition!

Mark down November 29 through December 2, 2021 for the AGA Danzante Challenge: Four days, three nights with a two-round tournament with gross, net individual and team prizes.

June 2021 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - 15

TPC DANZANTE BAY member GOLF EXPERIENCE Travel with the Arizona Golf Association this fall for the 2021 TPC Danzante Bay Golf Experience November 29 – December 2.

Registration includes:

3 NIGHTS ALL-INCLUSIVE & GOLF

Three nights lodging at the Villa del Palmar at The Islands of Loreto

PRICES START AT

1150

$

PER PERSON

Two rounds of golf at TPC Danzante Bay with cart and range priviledges (9 a.m. shotgun 11/30 and 12/1) and unlimited same day replay.

Daily golf contests and prizes The all-inclusive meal plan One Danzante upgrade per person Airport transfers All taxes and fees

AZGOLF.ORG/TRAVEL

602-944-3035

Inn at Bay Harbor Boyne Resorts

AZ Golf Insider has a passion for great golf.

Arizona has its share, but for the explorer in most of us, there are hidden gems throughout the world.

Northern Michigan is one place many have not considered. The AGA is planning a visit for members in 2022.

BOYNE Golf: The History of Donald Ross Continues to Shine in Northern Michigan When the American golf course building boom of the mid 1980’s kicked into high gear in northern Michigan, Boyne Resorts was already one of the largest golf destinations in the country with four golf courses at the time (10 today).

This all started with The Heather, designed by Hall of Fame architect, Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1966. When the time came to develop a fifth golf course, the BOYNE Golf team wanted to create something very different and unique paying homage to the golden era of classic course architecture.

Long before courses like Old MacDonald at Bandon Dunes, The South Course at Arcadia Bluffs, or the soon-to-come “Lido” at Sand Valley - all paying tribute to legendary early-century architects like C.B. MacDonald and Seth Raynor – and even before “replica” courses like Tour 18 came on the scene, BOYNE Golf became the first resort destination to ever create a tribute course in honor of a legendary architect, highlighting Donald Ross.

Ross is recognized as the father of golf course

18 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - June 2021

Accurately representing each hole on the architecture in America, immigrating here from Donald Ross Memorial course has always been Scotland in 1899 and made his home in Pinea priority for us” explained Friedrich. “Today, hurst. He was by far the most prolific course through technology, CAD, and Google Earth, designer, with an estimated 600 courses to his credit and a member of the Golf Hall of Fame. He we are able to gather photos and dimensions to create an even more accurate reproduction often stated – “Golf should be a pleasure, not a of any updates. It is our long-term plan to conpenance.” He designed courses that fit into the tinue making key renovations to the course and natural contours of the land; not unduly penal, but strategic and deceptive courses that players keeping the tradition of Donald Ross alive here at Boyne.” of all abilities could love and respect.

Make sure to check out this classic golf expeThe Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highrience on your next BOYNE Golf trip. Visit www. lands is a composite re-creation of classic golf BOYNEgolf.com. holes Ross designed in the early part of the century at some of his most renowned courses.

“Our founder, Everett Kircher, had a vision to pay homage to Donald Ross and build a course that included some of his greatest holes from his top courses east of the Mississippi River,” said Bernie Friedrich, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations. “We wanted to also create holes from places that most golfers may not have the opportunity to play, so there was a focus on the private clubs.”

“There was a lot of effort and detail put into the process. We weren’t just picking random holes,” explained Friedrich. “We looked at the land we had and tried to match the best we could to the slopes. If a hole rose by 10 degrees of slope, we would try and find a Ross hole at a club with similar slope. For example, in our routing, we found the perfect uphill slope to fit in the popular 12th hole from Oak Hill,” Friedrich explains.

While it’s difficult to match the land exactly, the Donald Ross Memorial is referred to as a wonderfully well-designed rendition of great Ross holes. But where BOYNE Golf really excelled was in the green complexes. Ross was known for designing some of the greatest green complexes in the game at places like Pinehurst No. The goal for the reconstruction of Hole 1 on Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highlands is to 2, Oak Hill and Seminole. more closely mimic Seminole Golf Club’s Hole 6, as Donald Ross designed. Photo: BOYNE Golf

June 2021 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - 19

TOURNAMENT

RECAP

Take a look at the leaderboards of Spring 2021’s AGA Tournaments!

2021 ARIZONA STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club - Maricopa Pos. 1 2 T3 T3 5 6 7 8 9 T10 T10 T10 T13 T13 T13 T13 17 18 19 T20 T20 T20 T20 T24 T24

Player Sean O’Donnell Chris Kamin Jake Chanen C. Barzekoff Adam Walicki M. Chirravuri Bryan Hoops Rio Newcombe Jon Lindquist Andrew Israelson John Bearrie Joey Pirmann A. Pikulthong D. Mendenhall Travis Kalis C. Chomyn Tyler Wooldridge Johnny Walker Michael Leonard Will Evans Ryan Vickers Tom Meissner Dave Aarons Santeri Lehesmaa Ryan Marks

R1 R2 R3 R4 69 73 68 69 70 69 68 74 69 77 70 68 69 73 69 73 69 78 70 69 72 71 69 75 68 75 76 69 72 71 73 73 73 69 74 74 68 76 76 71 73 75 70 73 73 72 73 73 75 74 73 70 73 75 72 72 74 75 69 74 77 68 72 75 70 73 72 78 76 73 74 72 71 73 75 77 77 75 73 72 79 73 73 72 73 77 74 73 77 70 77 73 73 78 77 71 73 79 72 75

Total -9 -7 -4 -4 -2 -1 E +1 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +4 +5 +7 +8 +9 +9 +9 +9 +11 +11

Sean O’Donnell shot three sub-70 rounds to win the Arizona Stroke Play Championship by two shots at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes GC.

T26 T26 T26 T29 T29 T29 T32 T32 T32 T35

Cam Sandland 76 77 73 74 Cameron Hedge 79 76 73 72 Cory Bacon 75 73 76 76 Clint Oleson 75 78 75 73 Dylan Mattson 74 76 74 77 J. Charbonneau 73 75 75 78 Daniel Harrington 76 75 77 74 Shankar Natarajan 77 78 70 77 Pierce Braun 72 75 71 84 Zach Smith 74 76 78 75

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+12 +12 +12 +13 +13 +13 +14 +14 +14 +15

T35 T35 T38 T38 T38 T38 T42 T42 T42 T45 T45 T45 T45 T49 T49 51 52 53 T54 T54 56 57 58 59 60 61 WD WD NS NS

Jeff Benton 77 74 75 77 Matt Andrews 75 73 74 81 Mike Louden 79 76 78 71 Leo Torres 76 74 78 76 Todd Sapiro 76 77 71 80 Will Cuiffo 74 76 74 80 Brad Wayment 76 78 75 76 Johnse Good 82 70 78 75 Jordan Murray 73 78 74 80 Cole Wilczek 75 79 80 72 Phelan Shaw 74 77 79 76 Ryan Pelletier 79 76 76 75 Camden Nierman 77 73 79 77 Rod Kasperson 81 74 77 75 Jacob Letman 73 76 81 77 Ty Hawkinson 76 75 76 82 Kaden Larkey 73 78 85 75 Eric Goldapske 71 76 88 79 Dalton Marsh 75 80 80 81 Garrison Campbell 76 78 82 80 Brett Howard 75 77 86 79 Ted Elliott 75 79 84 82 Marc Apps 78 73 87 85 Sam Maylee 82 73 81 88 Eric Weiss 77 78 82 89 Doug Maxwell 80 75 89 85 Paul Brown 73 74 WD - Mike Wagner 76 77 WD - Connor Obrien 74 72 71 NS Cade Anderson 72 72 76 NS

+15 +15 +16 +16 +16 +16 +17 +17 +17 +18 +18 +18 +18 +19 +19 +21 +23 +26 +28 +28 +29 +32 +35 +36 +38 +41 -

The Following Players Did Not Make The Cut Frankie Lin Gabe Ramos Grant Cesarek Joseph Knight Sahand Vahilzadeh Sean St. Clair Abe Candelaria

79 79 77 73 80 82 81

77 77 79 84 77 75 76

-

- - - - - - -

+12 +12 +12 +13 +13 +13 +13

Jim Ignoffo Colin Pratt Zack Holesinger Eric Hansen Kyle Lohse Kyler Kearns Matt Powell Ace Ersek Ellison Keomaka Alejandro De Zavala Bruce Pape David Charos Michael Dugan Steve Mindak Gatjeak Gew Justin Alonzo Mike Stull Clay Baldwin DeWayne Thompson Matthew Fimbres Sean Portelance Jacob Swanson Carson Kemp Steve Geesling Robert Brown Alec Miller Daniel Klein David Hay Matt Neils Ryan Busbee Stephen Lindsey Ben Walter Dillan Osborn Matt Vacek Rodney Tomita Seth Winterton James Smith Mitch Chilton Nolan Bils Daniel Celaya

78 76 77 84 76 79 76 77 82 76 83 77 83 81 79 82 82 81 79 82 83 82 83 81 81 82 85 88 75 80 79 79 82 86 82 82 84 83 78 82

79 82 81 74 82 79 82 82 77 83 76 82 76 78 81 78 78 79 81 78 77 79 78 80 81 80 77 74 87 83 84 84 81 77 81 81 80 81 86 82

-

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

+13 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +17 +17 +17 +18 +18 +18 +18 +18 +19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +20 +20 +20 +20

June 2021 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - 21

E. Brandon Bowron Carl Digennaro Coryn Wendt Frank Alger John Reidy John Turyn Curtis Foster Joey Hochevar Matthew Gomez Shawn Kyne Steven Brown Deyondre Simpson David Hondula Alex Strenge Chris Ichelson Adam Labbe Jack Algya Jacob Dinkel Reginald Mason II Scott Young

84 87 80 84 81 86 82 84 83 81 84 89 84 85 84 85 89 90 89 85

80 78 85 81 84 79 85 83 84 86 84 80 85 85 86 87 84 83 84 89

-

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

+20 +21 +21 +21 +21 +21 +23 +23 +23 +23 +24 +25 +25 +26 +26 +28 +29 +29 +29 +30

Scott Woodland Jacob Fendrick Andrew Van Cott Kristian Osuna Francisco A Meza Jayson Townsley Randy Jacobus Kahdean Browne Francisco Meza Chris Wesson Kevin Davis WD Trevor Olkowski WD Chris Fuller WD T.J. Kelber WD John Basden DQ Steve Ortiz NS Luke Scott NS Mitchell Stevens NS Tanner Lowry NS Travis Okamoto

89 86 83 92 85 91 89 87 87 89 87 90 94 83 94 86 95 86 92 93 94 95 73 WD 89 WD WD WD 83 DQ 90 NS 90 NS 112 NS NS -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

+31 +31 +32 +32 +32 +33 +33 +36 +37 +41 +45 -

2021 FALCON AMATEUR Falcon Dunes Golf Club - Waddell Pos. Player R1 R2 Total 1 Jarrett Foote 69 64 -9 2 Anawin Pikulthong 69 65 -8 T3 Adam Walicki 69 67 -6 T3 Camron Howell 67 69 -6 T3 Shankar Natarajan 67 69 -6 6 Sean O’Donnell 70 68 -4 T7 Jeff Benton 68 72 -2 T7 Brett Howard 68 72 -2 T9 Trevor Olkowski 73 68 -1 T9 Camden Braidech 72 69 -1 T9 Ryan Tjeerdsma 69 72 -1 T12 Joshua Escobedo 74 68 E T12 Kaden Larkey 72 70 E T12 Jacob Letman 69 73 E

A final-round 64 at Falcon Dunes GC was enough for Jarrett Foote to rise to the top of a packed leaderboard at the Falcon Amateur.

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T15 Tyler Wooldridge 73 70 +1 T15 Sean St. Clair 72 71 +1 T15 Eric Goldapske 71 72 +1 18 Frank Ellenburg 71 73 +2 19 Rod Tomita 73 72 +3 T20 Rayce Mathews 73 73 +4 T20 Mike Wagner 72 74 +4 T22 Abe Candelaria 76 71 +5 T22 Michael Leonard 73 74 +5 T22 Allan Johnson 72 75 +5 T22 Rusty Brown 72 75 +5 T22 John Hernandez 70 77 +5 T27 Erik Henrikson 73 75 +6 T27 Cam Sandland 72 76 +6 T27 Rod Kasperson 71 77 +6 T30 Brent Landen 74 75 +7 T30 Cade Anderson 72 77 +7 T32 Alex Stamey 77 73 +8 T32 Murph Mitchell 76 74 +8 T32 Ted Elliott 72 78 +8 T32 Brian Merdinger 72 78 +8 T32 Matt Powell 72 78 +8 T32 Matthew Gomez 71 79 +8 T38 Michael Cowan 76 75 +9 T38 John Chiesa 75 76 +9 T38 Scott Lanning 75 76 +9 T38 Matthew Hirshberg 73 78 +9 T42 Tim Blau 76 76 +10 T42 Carl Juengst 75 77 +10 T42 Sean Portelance 74 78 +10 45 Sahand Vahilzadeh 73 80 +11 T46 Andrew Atkinson 81 73 +12 T46 David Hay 80 74 +12 T46 Marc Apps 77 77 +12 T46 Jon Kemp 76 78 +12 T50 Ryan Busbee 77 78 +13 T50 Steve Brock 77 78 +13 T50 Keenan Steele 75 80 +13 T53 Matt Leonard 80 76 +14 T53 Robert Dykeman 77 79 +14

T53 Tim Smith 79 77 +14 56 Clay Baldwin 78 79 +15 57 Warren Cohen 81 77 +16 T58 David Hondula 82 77 +17 T58 Bob Baldwin 81 78 +17 T58 Curtis Foster 80 79 +17 T58 Johnse Good 79 80 +17 T62 Bryan Castillo 83 78 +19 T62 Paige Peterson 76 85 +19 64 Roland Bennett 83 79 +20 T65 Carl Butts 84 79 +21 T65 David Levos 85 78 +21 T67 Dustin Semenza 86 78 +22 T67 Kahdean Browne 84 80 +22 T67 Mitch Chilton 82 82 +22 70 Jeff Bowden 83 82 +23 T71 Carl Hess 87 79 +24 T71 Adam Labbe 82 84 +24 T71 Jacob Dinkel 82 84 +24 74 Sean Smith 87 80 +25 75 Ricardo Rubalcaba 85 83 +26 76 Nick McNaughton 87 82 +27 77 Eric Williamson 85 85 +28 78 William Cicerelli 89 83 +30 79 Roger Henry Jr. 88 88 +34 80 Joseph Bryant 83 100 +41 81 Pat Donaher 92 95 +45 82 Zach Brown 105 96 +59

Hector Barnetche 72 WD

Chad Evans 85 WD

Dave Aarons WD -

Bob Burton WD -

T.J. Kelber WD -

Rob McIver WD -

Matthew Pope 77 NC

Alejandro De Zavala DQ -

Michael Kaltenbach 88 NS

Noah Evers NS -

Brian Pond NS - -

June 2021 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - 23

2021 AGA WOMEN’S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Troon North Golf Club (Monument) - Scottsdale

Gross Championship Flight Pos. Team R1 1. K. Eaton + L. Klasse 71 2. A. Brown + K. Shoemake 71 3. M. Steffes + T. Totlis 73 4. J. Penman + R. Krapfl 76 5. E. Waynick + M. DuBois 76 6. M. Cross + P. Rady 80 7. B. Marsh + S. Dagucon 89 8. K. Crisp + K. Ashba 90

R2 74 75 80 78 80 80 81 82

Total +1 +2 +9 +10 +12 +16 +26 +28

Leigh Klasse (left) and Kim Eaton captured their third straight AGA Women’s Four Ball Championship at Troon North Golf Club.

8. S. Jacobs + T. Schiller 9. C. Rutledge + S. Coil

82 83

+22 +24

Pos. Team R1 R2 1. A. Davison + C. Richards 83 83 2. K. Queen + S. Bostock 81 86 3. L. Bileti + S. Jones 83 87 4. B. Bartholow + K. Hughes 87 88 5. B. Mosher + S. Vancers 88 90 6. D. Jensen + P. Kuntz 90 89 7. C. Brown + J. McComb 88 93 8. D. Kompier + K. Carter 93 95 9. J. Polidori + N. Morris 92 96 10. K. Strong + K. Hall 97 96

Total +22 +23 +26 +31 +34 +35 +37 +44 +44 +49

Third Flight

First Flight Pos. Team R1 1. C. Cervetti + Kim Wyatt 73 2. J. Niebling + J. Cassidy 74 3. D. Thompson + S. Clinch 72 4. D. Bene + M. Caldwell 75 5. N. Promkan + S. Vansickel 76 6. C. Wilson + W. Stone 71 7. M. Grenier + M. Engert 78 8. B. Byrnes + L. Townsend 80 9. C. Messier + S. Browning 80

R2 72 74 77 76 76 83 78 79 81

Total +1 +4 +5 +7 +8 +10 +12 +15 +17

Second Flight Pos. Team R1 1. K. Balaschak + M. Lines 80 2. K. Tatro + N. Moore 80 3. C. Cohen + L. Fulton 78 4. A. Gaus + K. Smith 80 5. L. Paist + L. Selegue 83 6. J. Anderson + J. Epperson 83 7. K. Lathrop + L. Torkington 81

84 85

Net R2 76 77 81 80 81 81 84

Total +12 +13 +15 +16 +20 +20 +21

Championship Flight Pos. Team R1 1. A. Brown + K. Shoemake 70 2. K. Eaton + L. Klasse 70 3. M. Steffes + T. Totlis 69 4. M. Cross + P. Rady 74 5. E. Waynick + M. DuBois 72

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R2 73 73 76 74 76

Total -1 -1 +1 +4 +4

6. J. Penman + R. Krapfl 74 7. B. Marsh + S. Dagucon 82 8. K. Crisp + K. Ashba 83

75 74 76

+5 +12 +15

R2 69 69 71 77 72 75 73 74 75

Total -6 -6 -1 -1 E +1 +2 +5 +5

R2 69 71

Total -3 E

First Flight Pos. Team R1 1. D. Bene + M. Caldwell 69 2. C. Cervetti + K. Wyatt 69 3. J. Niebling + J. Cassidy 72 4. C. Wilson + W. Stone 66 5. N. Promkan + S. Vansickel 72 6. D. Thompson + S. Clinch 70 7. M. Grenier + M. Engert 73 8. B. Byrnes + L. Townsend 75 9. C. Messier + S. Browning 74

Second Flight Pos. Team R1 1. K. Balaschak + M. Lines 72 2. K. Tatro + N. Moore 73

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3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

A. Gaus + K. Smith 72 C. Cohen + L. Fulton 72 J. Anderson + J. Epperson 75 K. Lathrop + L. Torkington 73 S. Jacobs + T. Schiller 75 C. Rutledge + S. Coil 77 L. Paist + L. Selegue 78

72 75 74 76 75 74 76

E +3 +5 +5 +6 +7 +10

Pos. Team R1 R2 1. A. Davison + C. Richards 73 73 2. K. Queen + S. Bostock 71 76 3. L. Bileti + S. Jones 71 76 4. C. Brown + J. McComb 72 77 5. B. Bartholow + K. Hughes 75 77 6. D. Jensen + P. Kuntz 77 76 7. B. Mosher + S. Vancers 78 80 8. J. Polidori + N. Morris 77 81 9. D. Kompier + K. Carter 79 80 10. K. Strong + K. Hall 85 83

Total +2 +3 +3 +5 +8 +9 +14 +14 +15 +24

Third Flight

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June 2021 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - 25

OUT OF BOUNDS

by Gary Van Sickle

For the Arizona Golf Association Phil Mickelson snagged his sixth major title a few weeks ago when he won the 2021 PGA Championship, or his Score By The Shore, as I’m calling it.

Six is a good number. Lee Trevino won six majors. So did Nick Faldo. Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer and Gene Sarazen are among those at seven. Ben Hogan and Gary Player are at nine.

Phil is in the Mount Olympus neighborhood among major champions.

As great as Mickelson’s wins have been, we all know his major victory total coulda-should-woulda been better. Greg Norman had a reputation for letting majors slip away but Mickelson exceeded him. You know it, I know it and Phil knows it. Yet here is what Phil tweeted on May 11 before his PGA win: “I’ve failed many times in my life and career and because of this, I’ve learned a lot. Instead of feeling defeated countless times, I’ve used it as fuel to drive me to work harder. So today, join me in accepting our failures. Let’s use them to motivate us to work even harder.”

The biggest reason Phil won a major at 50 is that he has a positive outlook that borders on Pollyanna-ish but it’s not phony. That is authentic Phil and his drive to do better the next shot, the next round or the next day is real. He also doesn’t waste time revisiting past failures. He

leaves that to us saps.

Phil’s career is oh-so-close to matching Tiger Woods and his 15 majors. And Phil did it during the Tiger Era, which is even more impressive.

How many majors should Phil really have right now? At a minimum, ten. At a maximum, realistically, 17.

There’s no shame in this. Jack Nicklaus easily could have won 30 majors but 18 was impressive enough. Could have? Would have? There is no such thing. A character in one of late sportswriting legend Dan Jenkin’s novels said, “What could’ve happened did. Scoreboard done said so.”

Tiger would add this gem: “It is what it is.”

So I present how it coulda-shoulda-would gone for Phil in a complimentary sense to show how often he has played nearly well enough to challenge Nicklaus and Woods: The Should Haves • 2006 U.S. Open (Winged Foot). Mickelson held the lead on the tee at the 72nd hole despite having a horrible day driving the ball. He hits driver on the dogleg left hole. Many say that was a bad decision. However, one day earlier, he’d hit driver wedge on the hole. This time, he drove it into the left trees, tried a hero shot through an opening in the trees, failed… and ended up with a double bogey. If he pitched

26 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - June 2021

out, he could have wedged on and had a putt for par to win, a two-putt for a playoff. But, no.

You know the rest. His quote: “I am such an idiot.” This was his Jean Van de Velde moment.

The blame: Strategy — chip out of the trees and trust golf’s best wedge player.

• 2004 U.S. Open (Shinnecock Hills). This one felt like Phil-harmonic convergence. Phil’s nomajors-yet reputation made him the vocal New York fans’ Cinderella favorite and there he was Sunday afternoon, charging like Arnold Palmer.

Mickelson was three shots behind Retief Goosen, then birdied three of four holes to take a one-shot lead. It came down to the par-3 17th.

Mickelson found the bunker, blasted long -possibly because a tiny pebble came between his ball and the clubface in the sand, eliminating the spin that would’ve made his ball check up -and three-putted for a double bogey. The thrill was gone and Goosen waltzed in with the win.

Blame: The putter.

• 2009 U.S. Open. Look out, here comes another patented charge by Arnie, er, Phil. Mickelson eagled the par-5 13th and tied Lucas Glover for the lead at Bethpage Black. The galleries rushed to cheer him on and saw him miss a three-footer at the 15th hole and a six-footer at 17. Glover thus became a one-hit wonder major-winner.

Blame: The putter.

• 2011 British Open. This may sound familiar but… Mickelson blistered the front nine at Royal St. George’s, one-putting the first ten greens to get into contention. Then he blew a two-foot putt at the 11th and it was as if he evaporated. Clarke looked shaky all day and might’ve cracked if anyone had put pressure on him but once Phil’s run ended and Dustin Johnson hit a shot out of bounds, Clarke was able to coast home. Blame: The putter.

The Could Haves • 2001 PGA Championship (Atlanta Athletic Club). This looked like Phil’s big moment when he chipped in from 35 feet at the 15th green to tie David Toms for the lead in the final round. He had the momentum and the crowd behind him.

Then he three-putted the 16th hole from 50 feet, later admitting he let it spook him slightly when a fan warned him before he putted, “This putt is faster than it looks.” If Mickelson makes par there, would Toms still have laid up at the 18th and played for a par to force a playoff or would his strategy have changed? Blame: The putter.

• 1999 U.S. Open. Mickelson was neck-andneck with Payne Stewart on the final holes at Pinehurst No. 2. They both hit it close at the par-3 17th. Mickelson missed, Stewart made. At 18, of course, Stewart made the lengthy par putt for the win and that moment when he got in Mickelson’s face to tell him he was going to be a great father — Mickelson’s wife Amy was about to go into labor with the birth of their first child.

Blame: The putter.

PGA TOUR Phil Mickelson won his sixth career major at last month’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, becoming the oldest major winner ever (50).

• 2014 PGA Championship (Valhalla). Phil, Henrik Stenson and Rickie Fowler all let this one slip away to Rory McIlroy. This PGA finished in

June 2021 - AZ Golf Insider Digital Edition - 27

the dark when officials waved McIlroy to hit to the green due to the darkness while Mickelson’s group was waiting to putt out. Pin this loss on the par-4 16th hole, a dogleg right. It should have been right in Phil’s wheelhouse, draw a fairway wood around the corner. He flared it into the left rough instead, came up short of the green and then misplayed a pitch that careened ten feet past the hole. He missed the par putt, giving McIlroy the lead. Mickelson birdied the par-5 18th but so did McIlroy. Blame: Take your pick, the 3-wood or the wedge.

• 2013 U.S. Open. The Open returned to Merion after 32 years and Mickelson led or shared the lead after each of the first three rounds. Sunday, he committed more errors than the 1962 Mets. He made double at the third, another at the fifth when he three-putted and bogeyed the tiny 100-yard 13th hole because he tried to hit a tricky finesse shot with his pitching wedge instead of a stock gap wedge. He made another bogey at 15 when he hit gap wedge to the green. He holed a wedge shot for eagle at the 10th but also bogeyed the 18th and finished two shots behind Justin Rose. The blame: Yikes.

One of those days.

• 2009 Masters. How about a Sunday pairing of Tiger Woods and Phil? They started seven shots back. Mickelson shot 30 on the front and got near the lead. Then he deposited a 9-iron shot in Rae’s Creek at the 12th. C’mon man, you can’t do that. He rallied again, almost. He had a four-foot putt for eagle at 15 and… missed.

Then a five-footer for birdie at 17 and… missed.

He bogeyed 18, finished three shots out of a playoff that Angel Cabrera won. The blame: Tiger would’ve made those putts.

• 2012 Masters. There was no question that over 70 of Augusta National’s holes, Mickelson played the best golf of anyone in the field. But about those other two holes… Thursday, he tripled the 10th. Sunday, he pulled his tee shot at the par-3 fourth hole. The ball caromed off a grandstand railing into some trees and after playing pinball into the bunker, he made another triple bogey. He finished in a tie for third, two shots out of a playoff that Bubba Watson won. Give Phil two bogeys instead of two triples,

he wins by two. The blame: Good players don’t make triples.

• 2004 British Open (Royal Troon). Once Todd Hamilton bogeyed the 10th hole in the last round, Mickelson had the lead. But he bogeyed the 13th, watched Hamilton and Ernie Els slip past him and he came up one shot short of their playoff. He did birdie the 16th but he needed another one and at the par -3 17th, with the Open on the line, he missed the green. Blame: The wind, why not?

The Would Haves • 2016 British Open. No regrets here. Mickelson shot 63 at Royal Troon in the first round on a day when 66 was the next best score. But Henrike Stenson led by one going into the final round and laid a 63 on Phil, who shot a 65 that would normally win an Open Championship in a final round. It was a thrilling duel and a dazzling display of golf.

• 2004 PGA Championship. Mickelson needed to birdie Whistling Straits’ final hole to get in a playoff, later won by Vijay Singh. Mickelson bogeyed the hole instead and tied for sixth. He’d won the Masters that year, was second at the U.S. Open and third behind Hamilton at the British Open. He said later that he was five swings away from a Grand Slam, which wasn’t an unreasonable view.

• 2010 U.S. Open (Pebble Beach). It would’ve taken a sensational weekend to catch Graeme McDowell but Phil had just posted 66 on Saturday. Sunday, Mickelson drove the par-4 fourth green… and three-putted for par. He hit 5-iron to the par-5 sixth green in two and left with a disappointing par. He finished fourth with a closing 73, three shots behind McDowell, and joked weakly that he was glad it wasn’t another second-place finish in the Open.

• 2002 U.S. Open (Bethpage Black). This was where New York fans became Mickelson fans, thanks mainly to relentless media buildup about his oh-for-career record in majors. They rooted for the underdog. Mickelson played well but he was up against Tiger Woods and, well, he just wasn’t going to catch Tiger.

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