Blanchard Wins First AGA Major of the Year at Aguila Golf Course

LAVEEN, Ariz. – Brian Blanchard needed a playoff, but brought home the first AGA Major title of the year Sunday at Aguila Golf Course, shooting -7 overall after a final round even-par 72 at the AGA Championship. Blanchard’s final round tally made up a three-shot deficit, forcing a playoff with 54-hole leader Bryan Hoops and Adam Walicki. He would make birdie on the first playoff hole to triumph in the blustery conditions at Aguila for his first AGA tournament victory, doing so in major fashion by carding rounds of 70-74-65-72.

Blanchard, of Desert Forest Golf Club, and Kurt Watkins were the only players to card rounds of 65 in the competition, with Watkins coming in the first round and Blanchard’s in the third. Going low seemed to give Blanchard some much-needed momentum going into the final round, where he would eventually outlast two former AGA players of the year en route to victory.

Full AGA Championship Leaderboard: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/3320756

RELATED: Watkins leads after R1 of AGA Championship

Another tournament highlight came from Mike Davidson on the drivable par-4 eighth hole, where he made an Albatross with a hole in one. Check out the video below.

#ICYMI Mike Davidson shot a #holeinone at Aguila Golf Course yesterday!

The magical moment came in the final round of the #AGAChampionship on the drivable par-4 eighth hole. pic.twitter.com/Ir1gClDZ4R

— Arizona Golf Association (@AZGolfAssn) March 21, 2022

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Up next for the AGA:

• Travel: Mayan Palace Spring Member Weekend, March 26 – 27, 2022 | Recap: 2021 Mayan Palace Member Weekend
• Social Golf: AZ Under30 – Dobson Ranch Golf Club, April 3, 2022
• Learn Golf: Take A Swing Clinic – Cave Creek – Session 1, April 16, 2022
•  Compete:
  • Women’s Championship: Women’s Four-Ball Championship, April 18 – 19, 2022
  • Men’s Championship: Arizona Stroke Play Championship, April 21 – 24, 2022

What to Know about the First Major of the Year: the AGA Championship

The best amateurs in the state converge at Aguila Golf Course today as they tee it up for the first Major AGA Championship of 2022. Here is what you need to know about the event, field and venue. (Scroll to the bottom for fast facts).

The Event

One of Phoenix’s most popular municipal courses, Aguila Golf Course, plays host to the 33rd AGA Championship, formerly known as the AZ Publinks before changing names in 2018. The 72-hole event will be played in an individual stroke play format and conducted over four days, a new approach for every AGA major championship this year.

With tee times slated to go off at 7:00 am Thursday morning, players will get to take advantage of the cool morning temps, courtesy of the dwindling Arizona winter. There will be no shortage of competition as a 144-person field featuring old and new faces ready themselves to contend for the title. Players will be hoping to advance to Saturday’s third round as a cut to the low 60 players (plus ties) will take place after 36 holes.

The Field

Familiar faces in the field include three recent AGA award winners: Sean O’Donnell (2021 POTY recipient), Bryan Hoops (2021 Mayfair & Masters POTY recipient) and Brad Wayment (2021 Senior POTY recipient). O’Donnell, who’s coming off a win at last month’s San Tan Amateur, is returning to the same event and venue where he earned his first AGA Major victory in 2020. After shooting 70-70-66 for an overall 7-under 206. Surely, he is looking for the same winning outcome this week.

Other notable players in title contention are recent JGAA standouts Mahanth Chirravuri and Joseph Lloyd, as well as AGA Short Course Champion Shankar Natarajan, who is looking for his first AGA Major victory. Chirravuri, a recent JGAA grad, is currently committed to play Division 1 college golf at the University of Southern California while Lloyd is riding out the last semester of his freshman year with the University of Utah men’s golf team.

The Venue

The venue, Aguila Golf Course, situated eight miles southwest of downtown Phoenix at the base of South Mountain, will provide scenic views and a challenging championship level course for the 72-hole stroke play event.

Weather Forecast:

Fast Facts:

2022 Schedule: AGA Major Championships Preview

With the first AGA Major Championship coming up this Thursday, we thought we’d preview all 11 AGA Major Championships and their respective host sites for 2022.  Five of the 11 majors are dedicated Women’s Championships, allowing for the highest level of competition among the state’s best female amateurs. A new change for the 2022 season is that all AGA Major Championships will be conducted over a four-day period to maximize the overall playing experience.

On the venue side of things, we have an exciting lineup on our hands. We’ll be returning to notable and local favorites Aguila Golf Course in Phoenix, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes in Maricopa and Quintero Golf Club in Peoria for another go-round of competition. Headlining the 2022 schedule are the 98^th Arizona Amateur, set for August 8-13 at the Outlaw Course of the Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale; and the AGA Women’s State Stroke Play Championship, to be contested August 15-17 at Anthem Country Club’s Ironwood Course.

Continue for info on all scheduled AGA Major Championships and their venues for 2022.

AGA Major Championships

Aguila Golf Course, Phoenix | Photo via TripAdvisor

March 17 – 20 | AGA Championship – Aguila Golf Course, Phoenix

Field Size: 144 players | Cut: low 60-players + ties will be made after 36 holes | Format: 72-holes of individual stroke play at gross

Formerly known as the AZ Publinks until 2018, the AGA Championship is the first men’s major championship of the calendar year.

• COURSE INFO: Often referred to as one of the best public golf courses in Phoenix, Aguila consistently draws applause from the Phoenix locale. The 18-Hole Championship Course features three lakes coming into play on five holes, continuous cart paths, and four sets of tees – a Gary Planks links design course.
• Opened: 1999 | Type: Public | Back Tees: 6,962 Yards | Back Slope: 125 | Back Rating: 73.0

Lone Tree Golf Club, Chandler | Photo via twoguyswhogolf.com

April 21 – 24 | Arizona Stroke Play Championship – Lone Tree Golf Club, Chandler

Field Size: 144 players | Cut: low 60-players + ties will be made after 36 holes | Format: 72-holes of individual stroke play at gross

The state’s best amateurs are pitted against each other in a Stroke Play format as they contend for the coveted Kachina trophy.

• COURSE INFO: Golf in the Southwest doesn’t come any better than the meticulously manicured greens & lush green fairways at Lone Tree Golf Club. Designed by Darryl Wilson of the CMX Group, this semi-private, traditional-style course features five holes with water, one with an island green. Lone Tree Golf Club`s beautiful landscaping and natural surroundings rival that of many Phoenix golf courses and has four sets of tees and tiff dwarf grass overseeded with rye.
• Opened: 2001 | Type: Semi-Private | Back Tees: 6894 Yards | Back Slope: 120 | Back Rating: 124

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, Maricopa

June 9 – 12 | Arizona Mid-Amateur Championship – Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Maricopa

Field Size: 144 players (ages 25+) | Cut: low 60-players + ties will be made after 36 holes | Format: 72-holes of individual stroke play at gross |

The region’s best Mid-Amateurs (age 25 and up) converge upon an AGA tournament favorite site to determine whose game is most on point on this Maricopa favorite.

• COURSE INFO: A Schmidt-Curley & Fred Couples design features rolling hills, native grasses, and tees that stretch from 5,800 yards to over 7,500 yards, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is a unique golf experience that will challenge the most accomplished golfer.
• Opened: 2001 | Type: Resort | Back Tees: 7307 Yards | Back Slope: 138 | Back Rating: 75.1

Desert Mountain Golf Club (Outlaw), Scottsdale

August 8 – 13 | 98th Arizona Amateur Championship – Desert Mountain Golf Club, Scottsdale – Outlaw Course

Field Size: 144 | Format: Match Play | *Must be exempt or qualify for this event.

The Arizona Golf Association’s longest-standing competition has seen the likes of plenty of Arizona golf’s most sublime talents: Ken Tanigawa, Ken Kellaney , Bob Goldwater etc., and our most recent multiple time winner: Jake Chanen. (insert any other AZ golf greats to have played in it). Who will be the next local great to add the prestigious title of Arizona Amateur Champion to their golf resume?

• COURSE INFO: Designed by Jack Nicklaus to enhance the natural landscape, Desert Mountain Golf Club’s Outlaw course is a traditional links-style course located on a 176-acre site adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. The spectacular desert scenery is marked by subtle terrain features from the natural washes and gently rolling hills to the clear views of local landmarks like Pinnacle Peak, the McDowell Mountains, and Four Peaks.
• COURSE FACT: Outlaw’s unique layout requires placement, strategy, and controlled distance off the tee. It also features 126 bunkers and putting greens that range in size from 5,000 to 14,000 square feet.
• Opened: 2003 | Type: Private | Back Tees: 7107 yards | Back Slope:  147 | Back Rating: 73.5

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, Maricopa | Photo via akchinsoutherndunes.com

September 15 – 18 | Arizona Four-Ball Championship – Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Maricopa

Field Size: 160 players (80 teams) | Cut: Low 30 teams (+ ties) after 36 holes | Format: 72-holes of Four-Ball play

What works? Team works. That’s the case for this Championship where you’ll have to have your dynamic duo firing on all cylinders to lift the trophy.

• COURSE INFO: A Schmidt-Curley & Fred Couples design features rolling hills, native grasses, and tees that stretch from 5,800 yards to over 7,500 yards, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is a unique golf experience that will challenge even the most accomplished golfer.
• Opened: 2001 | Type: Resort | Back Tees: 7307 Yards | Back Slope: 138 | Back Rating: 75.1

Quintero Golf Club, Peoria | Photo via quinterogolf.com

Nov. 12 – 13 | AGA Players Cup – TBD

The AGA Players Cup is modeled after the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup, with players accumulating points in Arizona Golf Association championships and other events throughout the season, before facing off in the AGA Players Cup Championship. Thus, marking the end of the tournament season.

To register for an Arizona Golf Association Championship,golfgenius.com/pages/3320754 click here.

Women’s Major Championships

Briarwood Country Club, Sun City West

April 18 – 19 | Women’s Four-Ball Championship – Briarwood Country Club, Sun City West

Field Size: 72 players | Format: 36-holes of Four-Ball stroke play at gross and net, within flights

Teamwork makes the dream work! Players will need to have their dynamic duos dialed if they want to earn the Four-Ball Championship title and add a kachina trophy to their collection.

• COURSE INFO: Designed by Greg Nash and opened for play in November 1983 Briarwood features beautiful, tree lined fairways that are relatively open, water hazards that come into play on several holes and a few sand bunkers cleverly situated throughout. To top it off, the course provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and a peaceful atmosphere.
• Opened: 1983 | Type: Private | Back Tees: 6500 Yards | Back Slope: 133 | Back Rating: 71.43

Jun 11 – 12 | Women’s Mid-Am Championship – Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, Maricopa

Field Size: 24 players (ages 25+) | Format: 36-holes of individual stroke play at gross.

Mid-Amateurs converge to test their skills – and luck – across 36-holes. The Arizona Mid-Am Championship will be conducted simultaneously, starting two days earlier on June 9 with both Championships ending on the 12th,

• COURSE INFO: A Schmidt-Curley & Fred Couples design features rolling hills, native grasses, and tees that stretch from 5,800 yards to over 7,500 yards, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is a unique golf experience that will challenge even the most accomplished golfer.
• Opened: 2001 | Type: Semi-Private | Back Tees: 6894 Yards | Back Slope: 120 | Back Rating: 124

Anthem Country Club (Ironwood), Anthem | Photo via clubcorp.com

August 15 – 17 | Women’s State Stroke Play Championship – Anthem Country Club, Anthem – Ironwood Course

Field Size: 84 players | Format: 54-holes of individual stroke play at gross

Players with a Handicap Index below the tournament threshold will vie for the Championship.  Anyone within seven index points of the threshold may opt into the Championship flight.  Multiple yardages will be used – those vying for the Championship will play all 54 holes from the longer yardage.  All other players will play from a shorter yardage.

• COURSE INFO: With a true desert layout stretching over 7,200 yards from the back tees, seven water features and intimating bunkers Anthem Country Club’s Ironwood course lends a challenge to low-handicap players. Especially once they arrive at “Anthem Alley,” the 10th through 12th holes which play around water to a par of 4, 3 and 5. It’s a classic high risk/high reward design with dramatic elevations and large undulating greens set against a mountainous backdrop making for an all-around enjoyable experience.
• Opened: 2004 | Type: Private | Back Tees: 7,231 Yards | Back Slope: 142 | Back Rating: 37.5

Tonto Verde Golf Club, Rio Verde | Photo via tontoverde.org

September 7 – 9 | Women’s State Senior Stroke Play Championship – Tonto Verde Golf Club, Rio Verde

• COURSE INFO: Two great courses at Tonto Verde Golf Club, the Peaks and Ranch, welcome visitors to natural splendor. Gary Panks solo-designed the Ranch and received help from David Graham on the Peaks. The surrounding mountain landscape and views of the Tonto Verde National Forest make the downtown Phoenix metropolis a distant memory. Tonto Verde is the ideal, natural Arizona atmosphere. The Ranch is more suitable to long hitters than the Peaks, measuring in at nearly 7,000 yards.
• Opened: 2002 | Type: Semi-Private | Back Tees: 7010 | Slope: 129 | Rating: 71.9

Quintero Golf Club, Peoria | Photo via quinterogolf.com

Nov. 12 – 13 | Women’s Players Cup – TBD

The AGA Players Cup is modeled after the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup, with players accumulating points in Arizona Golf Association championships and other events throughout the season, before facing off in the AGA Players Cup Championship. Thus, marking the end of the tournament season.

To register for an Arizona Golf Association Women’s Championship, click here.

Which Championship and/or venue are you looking forward to the most?

Looking for a different event? Download the full 2022 Arizona Golf Association Event Schedule.

Or, view the full AGA Event calendar.

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Marilynn Smith Arizona Women’s Open Announces Purse Increase to $87,000

Open Division winner to earn $15K, Senior Division team gets $10K at the inaugural event in Mesa

Media Contact:

David Bataller, Director of Communications
(602) 944-3035 | [email protected]

Player Contact:

Amy Fruhwirth, Programs Manager
(602) 944-3035 | [email protected]

For Immediate Release
March 8, 2022

SCOTTSDALE – The Arizona Golf Foundation today announced the inaugural Marilynn Smith Arizona Women’s Open will feature $15,000 and $10,000 winner’s checks in each respective division. Set to be played May 3-5, 2022, at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, 144 top professionals, amateurs and seniors from across the country will compete for a purse that has currently reached a minimum of $87,000, and is subject to increase as potential community sponsorships are accepted.

“We have worked hard to be a leader in the industry and increasing the Marilynn Smith Arizona Women’s Open purse to $87,000 shows our commitment to women’s golf in the state,” said Anj Brown, Director of Outreach at the Arizona Golf Association. “We hope this is just the beginning, and that as sponsorships increase, the prize pool will reflect the depth of the community’s commitment to the event as well.”

­­­The three-day, 54-hole Open Division will tee off Tuesday, May 3, with a max field of 104 players. The current payout structure will see the top 50 players and ties make a 36-hole cut, with the winner taking home $15,000. The top 20 places will be paid with 20^th receiving $1,000.

The 40-player Senior Division will feature 20 two-person teams made up of Senior Tour and LPGA Tour professionals, playing a two-day 36-hole, Scramble and Best Ball format. The winning team will share the $10,000 winner’s prize, and the top-five teams will take home their respective share of the Senior Division’s minimum $30,000 purse, subject to increase as sponsorships are accepted.

A qualifying tournament will take place the week before the event to determine the remainder of the field. Time and location will be released at a later date. The entry fee is $600 per player in the Open Division, and $600 per team in the Senior Division. For a list of exempt players, or for information and to register, visit azgolf.org/azwomensopen.

On Monday, May 2, the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Pro-Am will see amateurs tee it up with special guests and professionals playing in the event, with proceeds going to the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund. The MSSF provides scholarships to female high school seniors who are planning to play golf at an accredited college or university in the United States. The goal of the Pro-Am is to fund fifteen $5,000 scholarships for young female golfers across the country. Teams can be reserved for a minimum of $1200 by registering at azgolf.org/azwomensopen.

Tournament week kicks off on Sunday, May 1, the community is invited to attend Sunday Tea at Papago Golf Club in Phoenix. Arizona Golf Hall of Famer Bill Huffman will interview players, including LPGA greats Kathy Whitworth, Susie Berning and Sandra Palmer. Guests will enjoy refreshments, an expo and an incredible memorabilia display. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Sunday Tea, the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Pro-Am and Arizona Women’s Open, ranging from Presenting Sponsor to General Benefit Sponsorships. For more information please contact Chris Montgomery by email at [email protected], or by phone at (602) 872-7011.

For all information on the Marilynn Smith Arizona Women’s Open week’s activities, visit azgolf.org/azwomensopen.

About The Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund
Marilynn Smith Scholarships are granted annually through The LPGA Foundation. A founding member of the LPGA in 1950, Marilynn established the fund in 1999 with the proceeds of a golf tournament she organized. The objective of the Marilynn Smith Scholarship is to provide scholarships female high school seniors who have played golf in high school or in her community, and are planning to play golf at an accredited college or university in the United States. To date, more than $1 million has been granted to over 200 young women.

About Arizona Golf Foundation
The Arizona Golf Foundation’s purpose is to fund, support and promote all aspects of the Game of Golf in Arizona, with particular attention to public accessibility, youth development, military charities, scholarships and turf research. Visit azgolf.org/donate to learn more about how to support the Foundation’s efforts. With the departure of the LPGA from Arizona, we feel it important to heighten the visibility for elite women’s competitions.

About Longbow Golf Club
Longbow Business Park and Golf Club is a 330-acre, mixed-use development, being developed by Daedalus Real Estate Advisors, that incorporates office, light industrial, retail, hotel and residential uses surrounded by desert vegetation, a main street transportation design and features the award-winning Longbow Golf Club. Troon managed Longbow Golf Club was originally designed by Ken Kavanaugh in 1997. In 2003, Daedalus commissioned Kavanaugh to execute a complete redesign of the golf course creating a complete refresh layout. For more information on Longbow Golf Club, visit longbowgolf.com or call (480) 807-5400.

About Arizona Golf Association
The Arizona Golf Association has been serving amateur golfers in Arizona since 1923 when it held the first State Amateur Championship. Today, it is licensed by the United States Golf Association to provide handicapping and course rating services to member clubs, to provide tournament and rules expertise and to oversee the application of amateur status.

Highlighting Golf Trailblazers: The Desert Mashie Golf Club

Photo credits: Desert Mashie Facebook page

As Black History Month comes to a close, we reflect on a member of our most recent Hall of Fame class: The Desert Mashie Golf Club. Passion, pride and perseverance are just a few words that come to mind when you hear the Desert Mashie Golf Club name.

The club, which was formed in 1946 by a group of Phoenix area golf enthusiasts after a round at Encanto Golf Course, has grown into a community focused organization that boasts almost 200 members. However, at the time Encanto Golf Course was the only facility in the city where minorities were allowed to play golf. Thus, they created an organization “for all persons interested in golf regardless of race, or ethnicity,” with Encanto as its home course.

With that, the club defined its purpose, commitment and outlined a program for growth, with five objectives established:

1. To provide instructions and clinics for its members

2. To provide organized competition for its members

3. To promote a golf program for youth

4. To promote a program for women

5. To develop better public relations in the total golf community

WATCH:

Just a few years later in 1950, Desert Mashie Golf Club joined the United States Golf Association (USGA) and maintains its membership to this day. In 1953, Desert Mashie Golf Club became a charter member of the Western States Golf Association (WSGA). The founding members of the club were Dr. Thomas A. Crump, Aubrey C. Aldridge, Earl Le Near, Earnest S. Bartlett, Dr. Lowell C. Wormley, Curtis “Dock” Earl, William Robbie” Robinson, Ray Mercado and Densil Perdue.

As a result, the Desert Mashies trailblazed a path over the next 75 years in the golf community all the while championing diversity, inclusiveness and youth development. With youth development being a main focus for the organization they created the annual “Desert Mashie Spring Championship” in 1981, which became a sanctioned JGAA event in 1992. Today, they are recognized as one of the oldest public golf clubs in Arizona.

Visit the following resources to learn more about The Desert Mashie Golf Club and African American Golf History:

• Desert Mashie Website
• Desert Mashie USGA Feature
• USGA African American Golf History Archive
• Timeline of African-American achievements in golf by the PGA
• Arizona Golf Hall of Fame Inductees: The Desert Mashie Golf Club
• African American Golfers Digest Website