The Southwest PGA Match Play Championship

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – July 13, 2018 – The 2018 Southwest PGA Match Play Championship is scheduled to take place July 16-18 at Ancala Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Section’s first major of the season begins with 60 Southwest PGA Professionals competing in a 64-player field bracket. The top four seeds received opening round byes – Michael Hopper (1), Dennis Downs (2), Matt VanCleave (3) and Craig Hocknull (4).
 
Defending champion, and the top seed, Hopper, 34, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Lookout Mountain Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., will attempt to win his third consecutive, and fourth overall, Southwest PGA match play title (2011, 2016, 2017). Last year he defeated Marty Jertson, 37, PGA Professional and Director of Product Development for PING Golf, 1-up in the final match at Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Ariz.
 
“I’m really looking forward to the Match Play Championship as it’s certainly one of my favorite events, if not my favorite event, to play every year,” said Hopper. “This year’s venue, Ancala Country Club, is a perfect match play golf course that could will make for some exciting finishes. I am fortunate to be the top seed but there are a lot of great players in the field and anything can happen in match play.”
 
This year’s field consists includes eight past champions – Chris Dompier (2010), Chris Enders (1995, 1998), Brandon Evans (2014), Hocknull (2013), Hopper, D.K. Kim (2015), Paul Trittler (2004) and Randy Wittig (2002).
 
The Championship gets underway with the opening round matches on Monday, July 16 at 7:30 a.m. followed by second round matches at 1:00 p.m. The round of 16 and quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Tuesday, July 17 at 7:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively. The semi-final and final matches are slated for Wednesday, July 18 at 7:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.
 
With a win, Hopper would join John Jackson (1976, 1978, 1988, 1993) with the most victories in the history of the Championship. Hopper, Jackson and Tom Tatum (1982, 1985, 1992) are the only Professionals to win three or more Match Play titles. Last year Hopper became the first player to win consecutive crowns since Frank Boynton accomplished the feat (1979, 1980).
 
Greg Norman Collection and the PGA Tour are sponsors of the Match Play Championship.
 
About The Southwest Section PGA:
The Southwest Section of the PGA of America is a professional organization serving the men and women golf professionals in Arizona and Southern Nevada who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf. The Southwest PGA is responsible for the administration of competitive golf tournaments, junior golf programs and events, educational opportunities, support programs and growth of the game initiatives. With 1284 members and apprentices, the Southwest PGA is the fifth largest of the 41 regional entities or Sections that comprise the PGA of America.  For more information about the Southwest PGA, please visit www.southwestpga.com and join us on social media at www.facebook.com/swsectionpga, twitter.com/swsectionpga and www.instagram.com/southwestpga.
 
Past Champions
1974, John Bulla
1975, Dennis Troy
1976, John Jackson
1977, Terry Dear
1978, John Jackson
1979, Frank Boynton
1980, Frank Boynton
1981, Bruce Ashworth
1982, Tom Tatum
1983, Bruce Ashworth
1984, Bob Phillips
1985, Tom Tatum
1986, Steve Jones
1987, Doug Hoskins
1988, John Jackson
1989, Doug Hoskins
1990, John Dodd
1991, Jay Lumpkin
1992, Tom Tatum
1993, John Jackson
1994, Mark Gurnow
1995, Chris Enders
1996, Mike Wright
1997, Greg Avant
1998, Chris Enders
1999, Bob Blean
2000, Dennis LeDonne
2001, Mike Schwartz
2002, Randy Wittig
2003, Dean Vomacka
2004, Paul Trittler
2005, Don Yrene
2006, Ken Carpenter
2007, Not Contested
2008, Not Contested
2009, Drew Reid
2010, Chris Dompier
2011, Michael Hopper
2012, Glen Griffith
2013, Craig Hocknull
2014, Brandon Evans
2015, Dong Kyu “DK” Kim
2016, Michael Hopper
2017, Michael Hopper
 
Multiple Victories
John Jackson (1976, 1978, 1988, 1993)
Michael Hopper (2011, 2016, 2017)
Tom Tatum (1982, 1985, 1992)
Bruce Ashworth (1981, 1983)
Frank Boynton (1979, 1980)
Chris Enders (1995, 1998)
Doug Hoskins (1987, 1989)
 

Troon Announces Partnership With Seven Canyons in Sedona, Arizona

TROON ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SEVEN CANYONS IN SEDONA, ARIZONA
 
Scottsdale, Ariz. (July 11, 2018) – Troon®, the leader in golf course management, development, and marketing, is pleased to announce its new partnership with Seven Canyons in Sedona, Ariz.. As part of the relationship, club members will enjoy access to extraordinary golf and lifestyle benefits at numerous Troon Privé-managed courses around the world.
 
Surrounded by the Coconino National Forest and the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Seven Canyons features an intimate 18-hole, par-70 course in awe-inspiring natural surroundings. The golf course, as its name suggests, winds its way through seven canyons, red rock monoliths, as well as ponderosa pines and alligator junipers. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, Seven Canyons is a shot-maker’s course, featuring tree-lined fairways, shifting elevations, and small greens with subtle contours.
 
“We are thrilled to be working with Seven Canyons,” said Rob DeMore, president, Troon Privé. “The property and golf course are stunning, and the club amenities are spectacular.”
 
Named one of the “Best Courses in Arizona” by MSN Sports and one of the “Top 10 Courses with Epic Views” by USA Today, the Seven Canyons experience goes well beyond the golf course. In addition to award-winning golf, members of Seven Canyons also enjoy inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, wine and beer in the Clubhouse restaurant and bar, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, an outdoor pool, and a one-of-a-kind golf practice park set in its own secluded canyon. Additionally, Seven Canyons is a private, gated residential community featuring three distinct luxury real estate offerings ranging from townhomes and single-family residences to custom home sites.
 
“This alliance with Troon perfectly complements our mission to provide exceptional experiences for our members, both here at Seven Canyons, and now among Troon’s spectacular courses worldwide. We share Troon’s philosophy of uncompromising service and quality, and are thrilled to launch this exciting partnership,” said Dave Bisbee, Seven Canyons’ General Manager and Director of Golf.
 
The Troon Privé Division currently manages more than 80 private clubs, half of which are member owned. Members of Troon Privé-managed clubs have exclusive access to extraordinary golf and lifestyle benefits around the world. Qualified members receive reciprocal access to other private clubs in the portfolio at a preferred Privé Privilege rate, and tee times at Troon Golf-managed resort and daily fee facilities around the world through the Troon Advantage program. All members can choose to receive Troon Privé Connect, Troon’s digital magazine developed specifically for the private clubs, as well as access to experience packages through Privileged Connections and premium tickets to sporting and concert events at the best price.
 
For more information on Seven Canyons, visit www.sevencanyons.com or call 928-203-2005.
 
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at more than 330 locations around the globe, including 280 golf courses at 246 facilities. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 150 restaurants located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 35 states and 30 countries, divisions of Troon include Troon Golf, Honours Golf, Troon Privé (the private club operating division of Troon) and Troon International.  There are currently 60 Troon-affiliated properties featuring 80 golf courses on national and international “Top 100” rankings. Troon-affiliated properties include Bayside Resort Golf Club in Selbyville, Delaware; Kapalua on Maui, Hawaii; Mauna Lani Resort on the Kohala Coast on Hawaii; Pronghorn in Bend, Oregon; Lofoten Links in Norway; and Mollymook Golf Club in Australia. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Blog, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Golf & Travel.
 
About Seven Canyons
Seven Canyons is a renowned golf course and private, gated residential community offering three tiers of real estate products ranging from townhomes and single-family residences to custom home sites. Graced by a visually stunning backdrop and designed by renowned architect Tom Weiskopf, the 18-hole, par 70 championship course on 200 acres has a 360-degree view of red rock bluffs and green fairways. The links-style course challenges players with small greens, narrow landing areas, classic-style bunkering, mature trees, natural water features and unique changes in elevation. Beyond the course itself, Seven Canyons features a Practice Park that includes a two-tiered tee area with 25 hitting stations, a 5,000 square-foot putting green and a chipping area with practice bunker. Expert golf instruction, custom club fitting and fitness training are also available at the course’s Performance Center. The Clubhouse at Seven Canyons is an idyllic setting to reflect and unwind after a day on the links and features a gastro-pub restaurant offering sophisticated dishes and fine spirits to savor. Play at Seven Canyons is reserved exclusively for Club and Troon Privé members as well as guests of Enchantment Resort and Mii amo Spa.
 
Media Contact for Troon:
Rob Myers
Troon
602.317.6131
[email protected]
 
Media Contact for Seven Canyons:
Michael Olson / Courtney Long
NJF, an MMGY Global Company
212.228.1500
[email protected]

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