Braxton Marquez wins 2011 Arizona Open at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club

Jeremy DeFalco of Tucson was the low amateur

Scottsdale’s Braxton Marquez, 23, came back from a two-stroke deficit to win the 2011 Arizona Open at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club’s Prospector Course on June 18. He finished at 13-under par in the 54-hole event, which celebrated its 67th year of competition and is sponsored by the Southwest Section PGA. 

 Former PGA Tour player and Arizona State star Todd Demsey of Scottsdale, who won the 1998 Arizona Open, was runner up at 10-under. Jerrett Hamamoto, the 36-hole leader, and Eric Johnson, both of Chandler, tied for third at 9-under. Scottsdale residents Dave Yarnes and Paul Trittler tied for fifth, five strokes behind Marquez, who earned $7,500. 

A year ago at the 2010 Arizona Open at Desert Mountain’s Apache Course, Marquez finished third at 13-under par, a few strokes behind champion Kendall Critchfield. 

The former Horizon High School and Scottsdale Community College player competed in 19 events over three seasons at Arizona State and qualified for the 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Previously a hockey player, Marquez didn’t start playing competitive golf until his freshman year in high school. 

Marquez entered the third and final round two strokes behind leader Hamamoto, but he shot the day’s low round of 67 to win the state’s second longest running professional event behind the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Marquez posted scores of 68 and 68 the first two days. 

“It was just consistent golf,” said Marquez. “Lately, the golf swing started clicking. The greens were perfect. I love the course. The course was in great shape. I just had the speed of the greens all weekend.” 

Curt Byrum, the 2009 winner who’s a Golf Channel analyst and former PGA professional, finished ninth at 6-under 210. Jeremy DeFalco of Tucson was the low amateur, tying for 22nd at even-par 216.