98th annual Southwestern Amateur tournament scheduled June 17-21 at Desert Mountain

Open Entry Applications Being Accepted

The 98th annual Southwestern Amateur, which helped launch the careers of many of today’s PGA champions, will be held June 17-21 on the Nicklaus Signature Renegade Course at the Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, AZ.

One of the country’s leading events for top-ranked amateurs, the Southwestern Amateur is the longest-running men’s tournament of its kind in the Western United States and attracts the world’s best amateur golfers. Past tournament winners include Nick Watney, Mark O’Meara, Corey Pavin, Craig Stadler, Tom Pernice, Jr., Jay Haas, Ryan Palmer and Ted Purdy.

Kevin Dougherty of Murrieta, CA., and a junior at Oklahoma State University, was the winner of the 2012 tournament held at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club-Dove Mountain in Marana, AZ.

This year’s 140-player field will consist of a combination of invitation and open entry applications. Invited players include the top 150 collegiate golfers as ranked by Golfweek (November 2012), the top 15 finishers and ties at the 2012 Southwestern Amateur, the five national championship finalists of Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA, and individuals selected by the tournament’s executive committee.

Open entry applications are still being accepted. All amateurs with a handicap index of 1.4 or better are encouraged to apply. Visit www.swga.net and click on “Tournament Entry Information.”

Players will compete on Desert Mountain’s Renegade Course, which has won accolades for its scenic beauty and appeal to golfers of varying levels. This 7,412-yard course is also known for its four sets of tees on 16 holes. It has earned a place on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”

Desert Mountain will host the tournament through 2016.

The Southwestern Amateur is sponsored by the Southwestern Golf Association, a non-profit organization that supports the tournament and promotes golf in the Southwest.

For more information about the tournament and registration, call 480.595.4835 or email
southwesternam@desertmt.com.