Arizona Open

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Arizona Open Championship
Tournament information
LocationMesa, Arizona
in 2023
Established1937
Course(s)Mesa Country Club
in 2023
Organized bySouthwest PGA
FormatStroke play
Current champion
Grant Booth

The Arizona Open Championship is the annual open state championship of golf in Arizona. The competition is 54-holes of stroke play (3 rounds on an 18-hole course), with the winner being the player with the lowest total number of strokes. Following 36-holes of play the field is cut to the top 50 players and ties for the final round. In the event of a tie following 54-holes, a hole-by-hole, sudden death playoff will determine the winner. The Championship is administered by the Southwest PGA (Professional Golfers' Association of America). The Arizona Open has roots dating back to the inaugural event held in 1937. This historical championship has been held annually since 1953 and boasts an impressive list of past champions including Johnny Bulla, Dale Douglas and Curt Byrum.

Qualification[edit]

The Arizona Open Championship is open to any professional golfer or to any amateur golfer with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 10.0. Players (male or female) may obtain a place in the Championship proper by being fully exempt or by competing successfully in qualifying. Approximately 1/3 of the field is made up of players who are fully exempt from qualifying. Competitors who are not fully exempt must register and compete in a qualifier. Place-winners from qualifying events, conducted historically throughout the month of July, along with those players exempt from qualifying, finalize the Championship field of 156 competitors.

Champions[edit]

Year Champion Venue Location Score Margin Runner(s)-up Low amateur
2023 Grant Booth Mesa Country Club Mesa, Arizona 191 (−19) 7 strokes Jake Younan Nicky Kling
2022 Nicolo Gallatti Mesa Country Club Mesa, Arizona 198 (−12) 1 stroke Charlie Beljan
Grant Booth
Gavin Aurilia
2021 Jhared Hack Superstition Mountain Golf & C.C. (Prospector) Gold Canyon, Arizona 195 (−15) 3 strokes Inigo Izuzquiza (a)
Patrick Stolpe
Inigo Izuzquiza
2020 Yannik Paul Superstition Mountain Golf & C.C. (Prospector) Gold Canyon, Arizona 198 (−18) 2 strokes Blake Cannon
Caleb Ramirez
Branden Meyer
2019 Charlie Beljan Superstition Mountain Golf & C.C. (Prospector) Gold Canyon, Arizona 200 (−16) 1 stroke Zach Smith Michael Feagles
2018 Jake Younan Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 198 (−12) 5 strokes Charlie Beljan
Jesse Mueller
Brandon Smith
2017 Calum Hill Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 200 (−10) 4 strokes Brian Cooper Matt McClung
2016 Brian Cooper Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 202 (−8) PO Playoff Craig Hocknull Ken Tanigawa
2015 R.J. Wood Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 206 (−4) PO Playoff Matt Bryant
Chris Satterlee
Sam Triplett
2014 Chris Satterlee Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 203 (−7) 2 strokes Andrew Yun Ken Tanigawa
2013 Craig Hocknull Superstition Mountain Golf & C.C. (Prospector) Gold Canyon, Arizona 200 (−16) 3 strokes Austyn Karle Matt Record
2012 Max Scodro Superstition Mountain Golf & C.C. (Prospector) Gold Canyon, Arizona 201 (−15) 3 strokes Brandon Smith Michael Wog II
2011 Braxton Marquez Superstition Mountain Golf & C.C. (Prospector) Gold Canyon, Arizona 203 (−13) 3 strokes Todd Demsey Jeremy DeFalco
2010 Kendall Critchfield Desert Mountain (Apache) Scottsdale, Arizona 197 (−19) 3 strokes Curt Byrum David McDaniel
2009 Curt Byrum Desert Mountain (Apache) Scottsdale, Arizona 203 (−13) 2 strokes Greg Avant Michael Wog II
2008 Mike Ferris Desert Mountain (Apache) Scottsdale, Arizona 198 (−18) PO Playoff Greg Bruckner Chris Kessler
2007 Julien Trudeau The Golf Club Scottsdale Scottsdale, Arizona 204 (−12) 2 strokes Steve Schneiter Chan Kim
2006 Bret Guetz Desert Mountain (Outlaw) Scottsdale, Arizona 202 (−14) 1 stroke Scott Frisch Philip Francis
2005 Tom Stankowski Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 200 (−16) 5 strokes Todd Rakotz Philip Francis
2004 Steve Schneiter Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 205 (−11) 6 strokes Todd Rakotz
Dean Vomacka
Ken Kellaney
2003 Greg Bruckner Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 197 (−19) 1 stroke John Bizik Philip Francis PO
beat David Brown
2002 Greg Casagranda Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 205 (−11) 1 stroke Jin Park Aaron Watkins
2001 Rob Rashell Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 210 (−6) 3 strokes Jeremy Champoux
Mike Cunning
Brian Kontak
Rob Mangini
John Davis
2000 Jay Synkelma Troon Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 209 (−7) 3 strokes Tim Parun Jin Park
1999 Mike Nicolette Legend Trail Golf Club (R1)
Troon North Golf Club (R2,R3)
Scottsdale, Arizona 207 (−9) PO Playoff Gerry Norquist
Scott Watkins
unknown
1998 Todd Demsey Legend Trail Golf Club (R1)
Troon North Golf Club (R2,R3)
Scottsdale, Arizona 213 (−3) 1 stroke Wade Dunegan
Gerry Norquist
Allen French
1997 Danny Briggs Legend Trail Golf Club (R1,R2)
Troon North Golf Club (R3)
Scottsdale, Arizona 212 (−1) 1 stroke Jay Overton unknown
1996 Jim Carter Desert Mountain (Renegade) Scottsdale, Arizona 207 (−9) PO Playoff Larry Mackin Jeff Kern
1995 Danny Briggs Desert Mountain (Renegade) Scottsdale, Arizona 203 (−13) 3 strokes R.W. Eaks Ken Kellaney
1994 Van Batchelder Desert Mountain (Renegade) Scottsdale, Arizona 208 (−8) PO Playoff Jim Carter Richie Andrews
1993 Danny Briggs Desert Mountain (Renegade) Scottsdale, Arizona 204 (−12) 4 strokes Jim Carter Ed Smith
1992 Scott Watkins Desert Mountain (Renegade) Scottsdale, Arizona 207 (−9) PO Playoff Trev Anderson Mike Tompkins
Dave Russell
1991 Rick Cramer McCormick Ranch Golf Club (Pine) Scottsdale, Arizona 202 (−14) 7 strokes Jim Ahern Dan Meyers
Mike Tompkins
1990 R.W. Eaks McCormick Ranch Golf Club (Pine Front, Palm Back) Scottsdale, Arizona 210 (−6) PO Playoff Danny Briggs
Larry Mackin
Scott Frisch
1989 Jim Carter McCormick Ranch Golf Club (Pine R1,R2, Palm R3) Scottsdale, Arizona 202 (−14) 8 strokes John Adams
Ronnie Black
Mark Sollenberger
1988 Larry Silveira McCormick Ranch Golf Club (Palm) Scottsdale, Arizona 206 (-10) 2 strokes Andrew Magee Terry Beels
1987 Ronnie Black Alta Mesa Country Club Mesa, Arizona 200 (−16) 4 strokes Jim Blair Hub Goyen III
1986 Mike Morley Alta Mesa Country Club Mesa, Arizona 208 (−8) 3 strokes Jim Carter Dennis Saunders
1985 Bill Garrett Dobson Ranch Golf Course Mesa, Arizona 204 (−12) PO Playoff John Jackson
Mike Wright
Joe Bendetti
1984 Paul Nolen (a) Dobson Ranch Golf Course Mesa, Arizona 198 (−18) 4 strokes Don DuBois
Craig McClellan
Paul Purtzer
Paul Nolen
1983 Mike Morley Dobson Ranch Golf Course Mesa, Arizona 197 (−16) 3 strokes Mike Franko
Bobby Phillips
Jeff Thomsen
Larry Webb
Paul Nolen PO
beat Jim Carter
1982 Paul Purtzer Dobson Ranch Golf Course Mesa, Arizona 205 (−8) PO Playoff John Jackson Mark Sollenberger
1981 Fred Marti Tucson Country Club Tucson, Arizona 209 (−7) 3 strokes Ray Arinno Mark Sollenberger
1980 Larry Webb Desert Hills Desert Hills Golf Course (R1,R2)
Yuma Golf and Country Club (R3)
Yuma, Arizona 203 (−13) 4 strokes Steve Willis Tony Grimes
1979 Roy McMillan (a) Oro Valley Country Club Oro Valley, Arizona 211 (−5) 3 strokes Don Pooley
Art Wall
Roy McMillan
1978 Bob Betley Pinnacle Peak Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 215 (−1) PO Playoff Phil Ferranti Don DuBois
1977 Jeff Thomsen Antelope Hills Golf Course Prescott, Arizona 207 (−6) 2 strokes Bob Gaona
Bill Garrett
Tom Gray
1976 Bob Betley McCormick Ranch Golf Club (Pine R1,R2, Palm R3) Scottsdale, Arizona 208 (-8) 5 strokes Terry Dear
Bill Garrett
Kirk Padgett
1975 Bill Garrett Desert Forest Golf Club Carefree, Arizona 216 (E) 5 strokes Ron Ault
Mark Sollenberger (a)
Mark Sollenberger
1974 Jim Marshall Rio Verde Country Club Rio Verde, Arizona 206 (−7) 1 stroke Joe Porter III Charles Gibson
1973 Steve Spray Lake Montezuma Golf Course (R1,R2)
Oakcreek Country Club (R3)
Sedona, Arizona 209 (−6) 3 strokes Bill Johnston Charles Gibson
1972 Bill Johnston Oakcreek Country Club (R1,R2)
Lake Montezuma Golf Course (R3)
Sedona, Arizona 203 (−11) 5 strokes Rich Bland
Glenn McMinn
Steve Stull PO
beat Dick Hopwood
1971 Paul Purtzer (a) Lake Montezuma Golf Course Sedona, Arizona 202 (-11) 1 stroke Phil Gibbs
Ron Reif
Paul Purtzer
1970 Jim Marshall Lake Havasu Golf Club Lake Havasu City, Arizona 215 (−1) PO Playoff Dick Turner Bill Viele
1969 Bob Augustine (a) Sierra Estrella Golf Course Goodyear, Arizona 207 (-6) PO Playoff Dick Turner Bob Augustine
1968 Dick Turner Scottsdale Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 137 (-3)*** 1 stroke Bill Johnston
Ed Moehling
Paul Purtzer
1967 Bill Johnston Coconino Country Club Flagstaff, Arizona 215 (-1) 2 strokes Johnny Bulla
Darrell Hickok
Joe Riordan
1966 Dick Turner Arizona Country Club
Papago Golf Club
Century Country Club (R4)
Phoenix, Arizona 275 (-13)** 4 strokes Joe Porter III (a) Joe Porter III
1965 Dale Douglass Mesa Country Club
Century Country Club
San Marcos Country Club (R4)
Mesa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Chandler, Arizona
268 (−20)** 7 strokes Johnny Bulla
Al Chandler
Bill Garrett
Dick Hopwood
1964 Kermit Zarley Century Country Club
San Marcos Country Club
Mesa Country Club (R4)
Phoenix, Arizona
Chandler, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
275 (-11)** 3 strokes Bill Johnston Dick Hopwood
1963 Larry Mancour Mesa Country Club
Moon Valley Country Club
Century Country Club (R4)
Mesa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
273 (−15) 5 strokes Bob Harris George Boutell
1962 R. H. Sikes (a) Arizona Country Club Phoenix, Arizona 282 (−2)** PO Playoff Wayne Breck (a)
Bob Harris
R. H. Sikes
1961 Bill Johnston Arizona Country Club Phoenix, Arizona 281 (-7)** 5 strokes Al Chandler
Bob Harris
Sonny Methvin (a)
Sonny Methvin
1960 Al Mengert Moon Valley Country Club Phoenix, Arizona 201 (-15) 15 strokes Dick Metz Wayne Breck
1959 Johnny Bulla Scottsdale Country Club Scottsdale, Arizona 209 (-4) 3 strokes George Keyes Dick Hopwood
1958 Johnny Bulla Antelope Hills Golf Course Prescott, Arizona 204 (-12) 5 strokes Jim Hiskey Duff Lawrence
1957 Tom Lambie Yuma Golf & Country Club Yuma, Arizona 209 (-7) 1 stroke Johnny Bulla Ralph Quiroz
1956 Dick Knight Yuma Golf & Country Club Yuma, Arizona 278 (−10)** 2 strokes Billy Casper Duff Lawrence
Ralph Quiroz
Marvin Walker
1955 George Keyes Phoenix Country Club Phoenix, Arizona 143 (+1)* 1 stroke Errie Ball
Willie Wansa
Gray Madison
1954 Errie Ball El Rio Golf Club Mohave Valley, Arizona 137 (-3)* 5 strokes George Keyes Ray Cznowski
1953 Don Byrd Wigwam Country Club Litchfield Park, Arizona 221 (+8) 2 strokes Lee Griffith (a) Lee Griffith
1952 The Championship was not held
1951 Johnny Bulla Wigwam Country Club Litchfield Park, Arizona 212 (−1) PO Playoff Joe Monez Dick Hopwood
1950 Johnny Bulla Tucson Country Club Tucson, Arizona 210 (−6) 5 strokes Bob Goldwater (a) Bob Goldwater
1949 Jimmy Hines El Rio Golf Club Mohave Valley, Arizona 199 (-11) 4 strokes Johnny Revolta Johnny Rudolph
1948 The Championship was not held
1947 Johnny Bulla Phoenix Country Club Phoenix, Arizona 140 (-2)* 3 strokes Vernon Allen Bob Goldwater
1946 The Championship was not held due to World War II
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941 Bob Hunsick Naco Country Club Naco, Arizona 211 (-5) 6 strokes Herb Bowers
Jack Harden
Kim Bannister, Jr.
1940 Dell Urich Bisbee Country Club Bisbee, Arizona 224 (+8) 2 strokes Herb Bowers Barge Pease
1939 Dell Urich El Rio Golf Club Mohave Valley, Arizona 143 (+3)* 2 strokes Charlie Brown (a) Charlie Brown
1938 Dell Urich Phoenix Country Club Phoenix, Arizona 290 (+6)** 1 stroke Fred Dold (a)
Bob Hunsick
Fred Dold
1937 Dell Urich Phoenix Country Club Phoenix, Arizona 143 (+1)* 2 strokes Vernon Allen Dave Peter
  • a = Amateur
  • PO = Won in playoff
  • * = Championship was 36-holes
  • ** = Championship was 72-holes
  • *** = Championship was shortened to 36-holes after two-day rain delay

Records[edit]

  • Most titles: 5 by Johnny Bulla (1947, 1950, 1951, 1958, 1959)
  • Most consecutive titles: 4 by Dell Urich (1937, 1938, 1939, 1940)
  • Most times runner-up (including ties): 3 by Johnny Bulla (1957, 1965, 1967), Bill Johnston (1964, 1968, 1973), Bill Garrett (1965, 1976, 1977)
  • Most often first or second (including ties): 8 by Johnny Bulla (1st 1947, 1950, 1951, 1958, 1959; 2nd 1957, 1965, 1967)
  • Most top 5 finishes (including ties): 12 by Johnny Bulla (1947-1973)
  • Most top 10 finishes (including ties): 17 by Johnny Bulla (1947-1975)
  • Low 54-hole score: 197 (−19) by 3 players
  • Low 36-hole score: 127 (−13) by Jake Younan (R1-2, 61-66), Troon Country Club, 2018
  • Low 18-hole score: 61 (−9) by Jake Younan (R1), Troon Country Club, 2018
  • Low first round score: 61 (−9) by Jake Younan (R1), Troon Country Club, 2018
  • Low second round score: 63 (−9) by Ronnie Black, Alta Mesa Country Club, 1987
  • Low third round score: 63 (−9) by amateur Michael Feagles, Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club, 2019
  • Largest victory margin: 15 by Al Mengert (over Dick Metz), Moon Valley Country Club, 1960

External links[edit]