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By Russ Christ, special for GolfArizona.com  November 5, 1999 (Phoenix, Ariz.)—In what has become an annual year-end treat for top amateur golf talent in Arizona, Raven Golf Club at South Mountain in Phoenix again plays host to the Arizona Stroke Play Championship, the final major on the Arizona Golf Association schedule. The 72-hole, walking-only event, scheduled Dec. 2-5, will have a strong field this year despite the absence of last year’s champion. The 104-player field, cut to the low 50 and ties after 36 holes, does not include 1998 winner Kyle Blackman, who turned professional. It is the fourth consecutive year the event has been played at Raven, on Baseline Road near 36th Street with $150 green fees during peak season. John Gunby, general manager at the high-end, daily-fee David Graham-Gary Panks-designed facility, while acknowledging a loss of revenue for the club during the four-day competition, says it is good for the Arizona golf community and a positive move for Raven in many respects. “We like to make the course available for everyone, especially when it is a tournament of this caliber,” said Gunby. “It is our way of giving back to the game of golf and the players appreciate it. The facility stands to lose a sizable stream of income during a week when normal green fees are $115 and the course averages 125 rounds. A conservative estimate (before golf shop and food and beverage income is factored) suggests Raven loses $60,000 during the week. That’s over $200,000 the last four years. “Raven at South Mountain has done a tremendous service in recent years for amateur golf and the AGA by hosting this event,” says James Waitt, the AGA’s director of marketing and interim tournament director. "Obviously our tournament players would like to play more events during the winter at quality courses for a reasonable cost, but as expected, it’s difficult for golf facilities to make that sacrifice. Raven should be commended for their commitment to the local golfer.” A favorite to win the championship is Phoenix banker Ken Kellaney, no stranger to AGA tournament success. Kellaney’s performed particularly well at the Stroke Play at Raven, winning the tourney in 1997 and finishing second last year. Marty James, the 1999 Arizona Amateur Champion, Greg Garcia, a Scottsdale Community College player and Dan Meyers of Oro Valley should do well. Another favorite is Oliver JC Lindsay from the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, Scotland. A member of the 1998 and 1999 Palmer Cup Team, Lindsay was the British and Scottish Universities champion in 1997 and he’s a member at Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland. Larry Lippon, the former owner of two Raven properties and currently president of GolfSwitch, may possess the most course knowledge. ASU golfer Brady Stockton from San Ramon, Calif., and Mesa’s Ed Smith, the Senior Arizona Amateur Champion, are notables. 1999 Stroke Play Championship Entrants
As of November 10th the following players were exempt. Gabe Alcala, Scottsdale Dave Barnes, Tempe Tom Beach, Tucson Ryan Beauregard, Phoenix Rudy Berumen, Jr., Tempe Larry Brasch, Tempe Dave Brown, Mesa Mark Brown, Scottsdale Mills Brown, Paradise Valley Roger Brown, Scottsdale Trent Brown, Arkansas City Bob Burg, Scottsdale Jack Burke, Tucson Mike Butler, Phoenix Harry Cavanagh, Jr., Phoenix Steve Dallas, Gilbert Mitch Davis, Phoenix David Delich, Colorado Springs, CO Chuck Eckerman, Phoenix Dan Fitas, Phoenix Steve Foster, Phoenix Rick George, Greenwood Village, CO George Glickley, Chicago, IL Glen Gray, Glendale Jason Hause, Tempe Chad Hossack, Mesa Marty James, Prescott Mark Johnson, Ft. Huachuca Ken Kellaney, Phoenix Mike Kernagis, Mesa Pat Kuehner, Phoenix Curt Lewis, Scottsdale Oliver Lindsay, Scottsdale Chad Lisac, Scottsdale Larry Lippon, Scottsdale Bob Martin, Phoenix Larry Montplaisir, Gilbert Bob Munoz, Phoenix Dave Nash, Phoenix Erik Nielsen, Tucson Matt Norby, Scottsdale Brian Nosler, Tempe John Olive, Phoenix Jin Park, Tempe Tom Plungis, Scottsdale Mark Polich, Tucson Jess Scott, Phoenix Doug Simmons, Phoenix Gordon Small, Tempe Ed Smith, Mesa Michael Spiher, Tempe Brady Stockton, Tempe Rickard Sundgren, Scottsdale Eric Taylor, Mesa Kevin Trent, Scottsdale Dave Yarnes, Tucson 40 players qualified at Apache Creek GC on Nov. 2 and 11 players qualified at Rio Rico Resort & CC on November 4th. Related links: |
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