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By Russ Christ, special for GolfArizona.com  Phoenix, Ariz. -The Arizona Golf Association and the Southwest Section of the PGA will field representatives in the 39th Annual Goldwater Cup Matches October 8-9 at Hassayampa Golf Club in Prescott. The event pits the state's top amateurs against representatives from the local PGA. The history of the tournament has favored the professionals, who hold a 25-13 advantage in the regular division, including 14 consecutive wins. The seniors lead 14-8 with two ties, although a six-year winning streak was stopped last year at the Country Club at D.C Ranch. The format of the tournament is foursome, four-ball and singles matches with 12 players in each division. Each team fields a playing captain and an honorary captain, a role that Robert "Doc" Graves will assume for the AGA. Hassayampa GC, which was recently redesigned by Tom Weiskopf, hosts the Goldwater Cup for the first time. The golf course has three sets of tees, the longest measuring 6,634 yards, where the slope is 134 and the course rating 71.2. The Arizona Golf Association has announced its 12-player team. The PGA's representatives will be announced shortly. The AGA Team Regular Division
Brad Cannon, Phoenix Jeff Peterson, Tucson Marty James, Prescott Jack Burke, Tucson Michael Spiher, Tempe Chad Hossack, Mesa Douglas Simmons, Phoenix Mark Polich, Tucson Bob Martin, Phoenix Larry Montplaisir, Gilbert Tom Beach, Tucson Mills Brown, Paradise Valley Senior Division Steve Dallas Ed Smith Bill Brafford Rick Jolley Paul Mott Roger Brown Herb Weber George Ferguson Rich Stokes Ken Kloberdanz John Olive Gary Hart The SWSPGA Team REGULAR DIVISION Brett Upper, Arizona CC Bob Blean, Bellair GC Scott Watkins, Phoenician GR Larry Mackin, Leisure World Jim Deiters, Desert Mountain GC Greg Avant, Springfield GR Chris Endres, John Jacobs Don Yrene, Gainey Ranch GC Mark Gurnow, Las Sendas GC Paul Trittler, Grayhawk GC Bob Pancratz, Oakwood GC Ron Faria, Bellair GC SENIOR DIVISION Joe Huber, Papago GC John Jackson, Phoenician GR Jim Bellows, Rolling Hills GC Bob Gaona, El Rio GC Bob Phillips, Bellair GC Jim Marshall, Bellair GC John Benzel, Sedona GR Phil Ferranti, Tucson Bob Day, Dobson Ranch GC Louie Boggs, Sun City Vistoso Burt Watkins, Mount Graham Howie Tucker, Rolling Hills GC BOB GOLDWATER CUP MATCHES PREVIOUS SITES CURRENT STANDINGS 1961 Moon Valley Country Club 1962 Desert Forest Golf Club REGULAR DIVISION 1963 Desert Forest Golf Club 1964 Arizona Country Club PGA 25 1965 Papago Golf Course AGA 13 1966 Desert Forest Golf Club 1967 Century Country Club 1968 Century Country Club 1969 Mesa Country Club SENIOR DIVISION 1970 Century Country Club 1971 Wigwam Golf Club PGA 14 1972 Wigwam Golf Club AGA 8 1973 Century Country Club TIES 2 1974 Phoenix Country Club 1975 Arizona Biltmore Golf Club 1976 Camelback Country Club 1977 Camelback Country Club 1978 Palmbrook Country Club 1979 Palmbrook Country Club 1980 Palmbrook Country Club 1981 Orange Tree Golf Club 1982 Orange Tree Golf Club 1983 Orange Tree Golf Club 1984 Orange Tree Golf Club 1985 Orange Tree Golf Club 1986 Ventana Canyon Golf Club 1987 Desert Mountain Golf Club 1988 Desert Mountain Golf Club 1989 Phoenix Country Club 1990 Desert Mountain Golf Club 1991 Moon Valley Country Club 1992 McCormick Ranch Golf Club 1993 Forest Highlands Golf Club 1994 Skyline Country Club 1995 Grayhawk Golf Club 1996 SunRidge Canyon Golf Club 1997 Paradise Valley Golf Club 1998 Golf Club @ DC Ranch 1999 Hassayampa Golf Club ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE Hassayampa Golf Club's History The balancing act is occurring at Hassayampa, Prescott's newest (and with respect to its roots, its oldest) golf course community. Located in the lofty pine forests surrounding historic Prescott, Hassayampa signals a return to the past - a time when Arizona's desert dwellers would escape the heat and congestion of the cities to relax with friends and family in the cool crisp air of the mountains. Their destination then was the original Hassayampa Country Club. Built in 1919 by a group of World War I veterans and Prescott community leaders, the original Hassayampa served as Arizona's first golf and social club and was one of the state's first golf courses. Today, Desert Troon Companies and PGA Tour veteran Tom Weiskopf have created the new Hassayampa, maintaining the friendly spirit that has endured despite the passing of time. The 18-hole, par 71 Weiskopf-Signature Design course has maintained a little of the sporting tradition of the previous Hassayampa course. Manicured fairways weave among the historical and natural features that were present in the original course, including the 79-year-old stone bath house. Weiskopf hasn't hidden his enthusiasm for the new course arising from the old, nor has he masked his joy with the pallet nature has provided him. Weiskopf said Hassayampa has three natural features every golf course architect wishes for - "big mature trees, natural streams and significant elevation changes." All three elements come into play on the golf course. Aspen Creek and Butte Creek run throughout the course, while thousands of mature ponderosa and oak trees characterize the beauty of the bordering Prescott National Forest. That beauty, however, can make for a challenging 18 holes of golf. Aspen Creek has a direct influence on several of the holes on the front nine, while Butte Creek comes into play on four of the course's final nine holes. A cottonwood tree, one of the "big mature trees" Weiskopf spoke about, sits just short and right of the green on hole two, reportedly one of Weiskopf's favorite holes on the course. Hole No. 12, a par 4, 449-yard hole, combines both topography and a taste of Hassayampa's history, with towering oak trees to the left of the hole and the original clubhouse and bathhouse to the right of it. Several of the golf course's tee boxes are elevated by hand-stacked rocks found on the site during excavation, providing for 360-degree views. The tee on hole No. 4 could be the most dramatic, sitting 50 feet above the landing area and offering a breathtaking sight. After 17 challenging holes of golf, Weiskopf saved perhaps the toughest hole for last - the 428-yard, par 4 "Tomahawk." Hole No. 18 features an elevated tee shot across Butte Creek, plenty of trees and some interesting rock patterns. After testing their skills on Weiskopf's challenging course, golfers will be able to unwind at Hassayampa's lodge-style clubhouse, which sits on a knoll between the first tee and the 18th green. Hassayampa's clubhouse again blends the past with the present. It is designed as a rustic, log-beamed mountain lodge that would have been just as appropriate on Hassayampa's original course as it is today. The rustic exterior, reminiscent of a mountain lodge, gives way to an equally luxurious interior. The 30,000-square-foot facility houses men's and women's locker rooms that are equipped with spa, steam, sauna, exercise facilities and terraces with views of the town and Thumb Butte Mountain. Adding to the clubhouse's unique appeal, the golf shop combines traditional golf retail with antiques and a setting for relaxation. Golfers can work up quite an appetite, and the clubhouse is ready to accommodate them with style. Dining and lounge facilities are arranged around a central garden court to combine the indoors with the natural beauty of the outdoors. Elegant formal dining is featured in a 40-seat restaurant, while The Grill Room features a more casual atmosphere. Related links: |
Grayhawk Golf Club - Talon Course