AGA Blog

Levin hopes to break through at WMPO

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 19:33:44 0000

It seems like so long ago that Spencer Levin was a 19-year-old kid bursting upon the scene at the 2004 U.S. Open. That he ended up tied for 13th at Shinnecock Hills was amazing, the best finish by an amateur at the national championship in 33 years. Levin turned pro the following year, but it has been one lesson after another in golf’s school of hard knocks, where he has yet to win. Just lately, Levin has shown signs that he’s ready to fulfill his promise.

Lefty makes news on, off TPC Scottsdale

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 20:38:00 0000

Phil Mickelson was on a roll Thursday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, both on the golf course and off, where he filed a lawsuit against an Internet service provider in Canada to learn the identity of a person(s) who has been posting “vexatious statements’’ about Mickelson and his family.

Read the premier issue of AZ Golf Insider

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:19:05 0000

The premier issue of AZ Golf Insider, the AGA's new magazine, is hot off the press. Watch for yours in the mail. You can also read it online by clicking on the cover to the right. AZ Golf Insider replaces Arizona the State of Golf.

Join us for golf along the beach!

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:31:40 0000

You deserve a weekend away from the stresses of the big city. Join us March 24-25, 2012 at Mayan Palace Penninsula de Cortes.

WMPO favorite? Sentiment with Stanley

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:58:04 0000

Picking the favorite in a PGA Tour event might be the most difficult task in sports, as you never know who is about to light up this strange game called golf. Choosing the sentimental favorite for this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, however, is a piece of cake, especially when the player of note just went through the biggest disaster of his brief career.

Cancer claims past USGA Women's Committee Chairman Barbara Douglas

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:42:31 0000

Barbara Douglas, who in 2009 became the first minority chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee, died Jan. 27 in Glendale, Ariz., after a three-year battle with cancer. Douglas began her Arizona work in golf with the National Minority Golf Foundation, creating opportunities for young people in and through the game she so loved. She also served the Arizona Golf Association as an executive committee member, the Arizona Golf Foundation as a board member and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona as president.

Smartphone app for WM Phoenix Open

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:11:47 0000

2012 will be the first year that mobile phones are permitted at the Waste Management Phoenix Open (WMPO). While people have been sneaking their cell phones into the tournament for years, the PGA is not only allowing cell phones this year but actually encouraging people to bring them with an official smartphone app sponsored by Kyocera.

Clinton gives hope to struggling event

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:18:00 0000

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Gone is Bob Hope along with the glamorous girls that once donned the form-fitting sweaters that read: “Bob,’’ “Hope’’ and “Classic.’’ Oh, yeah it’s still a limbo contest – how low can you go? – but a lot has changed about “the Hope,’’ as it was known for five decades. First of all, it’s now “the Clinton,’’ although former President Bill Clinton prefers the proper name – the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation. Once it was all about partying hard, but now it’s more about a healthy lifestyle and moderation.

Free event at the Bird's Nest during WMPO

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:28:19 0000

Tales from the Tour, stories about golf and life

Chandler golf event raises money for charity

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:14:28 0000

Chandler Horizon Rotary, Thorobred Chevrolet, Godaddy.com and Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort present the 19th annual Million Dollar Hole-in-one Shootout.

Save $20 at Van's Golf Shops

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:49:34 0000

In case you missed it in your last handicap e-revision, through the end of the month AGA members can save $20 on a $50 or more purchase at Van's Golf Shops. Click here to print a coupon.

Phoenix Open has lots of 'AC' for 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:49:42 0000

Ready or not, here comes the Waste Management Phoenix Open, “the greatest or greenest (take your pick) show on grass.’’ Believe it or not, we’re only three weeks out from our annual party that tees off Jan. 30-Feb. 5 at the TPC Scottsdale.

Play Troon North for $119

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:43:37 0000

We're excited to welcome Troon North to our list of courses where ACCESS members get a preferred rate. From January 10-29 ACCESS members can play Troon North for only $119.

Free clinics for girls ages 5-17

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 16:27:36 0000

The First Tee of Phoenix announces their 2012 "These Girls Rock" free clinic dates. A total of 11 free clinics will be available for girls ages 5-17 of any golf ability.

Performance clinic January 12

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 15:01:53 0000

Golftec will host a performance clinic focusing on swing flaws and fitness fixes Thursday, January 12 from 5-6:30 p.m. at their north Scottsdale location, 15452 N. Pima Road inside Golfsmith. The event will feature Katherine Roberts, co-author of the book Swing Flaws and Fitness Fixes. A $49 admission includes a copy of her book. Personal assessment sessions are also available. Call 480-607-2212 or email jkursel@golftec.com to reserve your spot.

Itty Bitty Open to be held Jan. 21

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 11:42:50 0000

The Junior Golf Association of Arizona with the sponsorship of The Thunderbirds in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department’s of the City of Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Scottsdale, Tempe, Surprise and Goodyear at one of their locations will stage the Itty Bitty Open on Saturday, January 21. Starting times are 9am, 10am and 11am.

Cory Whitsett wins Inaugural Patriot All-America

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:56:46 0000

Litchfield Park, Ariz. – Cory Whitsett closed with a five-under-par 66 to win the inaugural Patriot All-America Invitational on the Gold Course at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Ariz. Whitsett’s three-round total of 14-under 199 was three strokes better than his college roommate at Alabama Bobby Wyatt.

AZ golf's biggest moments for 2011

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:25:37 0000

Debating the most important moments of Arizona golf is always fun as the big Waterford Crystal ball begins its annual descent at Times Square. With apologies to David Letterman, here are the biggest of the best from golf in the Grand Canyon State from 2011:

Amateurs take 2011 Gibson Cup

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:43:19 0000

The 17th annual Gibson Cup Matches featuring 12-man teams representing the AGA and the SWSPGA were conducted at difficult La Paloma Country Club in Tucson December 17-18. The first day Best Ball Matches ended with the defending champion Professionals of the SWSPGA taking a commanding lead, 13.5 to 4.5 points. The Sunday singles matches saw a reversal, as the Amateurs representing the AGA played well and came back to win the Gibson Cup for the fifth time in the last 6 years, winning 24.5 of the available 36 points, to win and regain the Gibson Cup 29 to 25 points.

Yun talks Patriot, Stanford, Woods & Wie

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:34:44 0000

Andrew Yun considers himself to be a Korean-American, as his father and mother were born in South Korea prior to his birth in Tacoma, Wash. But he never hesitated when he got the opportunity to play in the Patriot All-America Invitational, a tournament involving college all-stars that celebrates the lives and helps with the families of our fallen heroes.

US Kids Golf Phoenix announces fall tour champions

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:25:05 0000

The U.S. Kids Golf Phoenix Fall Local Tour wrapped up its third tour of 2011 Sunday December 18 at Rio Verde CC.

Golf for Everyman

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:04:10 0000

Golf for Everyman

Quintero opens to public play under new ownership

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 11:07:11 0000

And they're offering an $85 rate exclusively to ACCESS AZgolf members!

The new owners of Quintero Golf Club, Infinity Capital Golf Resources, are opening the doors to public play at the once-private course. They want to give the daily fee golfer the opportunity to play one of the most spectacular golf courses in the Southwest, and their focus on providing exceptional customer service is sure to bring golfers back time and time again.

Sun City CC hosts golf mixer Saturday

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:10:49 0000

This Saturday, Dec. 3, Sun City Country Club will host a day of golf festivities starting at noon. From noon to 2 p.m. watch a free clinic with PGA Tour winner Arron Oberholser. The clinic will be followed up by a 9-hole shotgun golf tournament. Entry into the tournament is $50 which includes prizes, freebies and a ticket for the Coyotes vs. Flyers game that night. For more information or to sign up for the event click here.

Tucson golf swap to benefit girls golf

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:51:01 0000

The LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Club of Tucson will be hosting a Golf Swap December 10. What is a golf swap? Golfers can come to swap or buy used or new golf items offered by individual sellers/pro shops/retail golf stores. There is no fee to the individual sellers for a space but there will be a $20 fee for the pro shops and the retail golf stores.