Announcing the 2013 Desert Cup

Announcing the 2013 Desert Cup in Scottsdale, AZ!

Boys -

It’s announcement time. I have heard back from most of you about your availability for the Cup this year and so far we have only potentially lost one player.  The dates that worked for most everyone were June 27^th – 30^th.

Our 2012 Captains are Travis Health and Jeff Buckwalter.  Both of these guys are long time vets and true competitors, so I am excited for them to be picking teams and sending out the players.  We anticipate that team selection will happen over the next month or two and can begin as soon as I get all of the deposits in and the player roster’s finalized.

That being said, I wanted to give you the details around where we will be playing this year.  In years past, we have played some of the best courses in the areas we traveled to. But this year may be the finest line up we have ever had the chance to play.  We are going to be traveling to Scottsdale, AZ, which is a cheap and easy flight from UT and a semi-easy drive for those coming from CA. 

Looking at what courses we should play drove me to check out what the experts considered the best places to play.  I consulted many sources but settled on Golf Magazine and Sports Illustrated’s 2012 StateRankings for Arizona, as well as the Top 100 Public Courses to play.  All five of the courses we will play this year are on the list of the Top 100 Public Courses in the USA, ranking #20, #37, #40, #52 and #99 on that list.  As far as their ranking in AZ, they are #1,#2, #3, #4 and #7 (6 for Boulders).

So, without further ado...

Round 1
Thursday June 27^st at 2:00 pm -Two man best ball format – Match Play
The Talon Course at Greyhawk - #7 course in AZ and #99 in US

The Talon Course at Grayhawk

 

Nestled in North Scottsdale, Talon is of the highest rated daily-fee golf courses in Arizona. The course also has hosted numerous high-profile golf events including the semi-finals and finals of the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf. 

Kicking off the cup in style at Greyhawk - The Talon course should be a good start to the weekend and a chance for us all to begin getting the competitive juices flowing again.

Round 2

Friday June 28th at 7:05 - Two Man Best Ball - Match Play

Troon North Monument Course - #1 course in AZ and #20 in US

Round 3

Friday June 28th at 2:00 - Two Man Best Ball - Match Play - Shotgun

Troon North Pinnacle Course - #4 course in AZ and #52 in US

The Monument and Pinnacle Courses at Troon North

Revered as Scottsdale’s crown jewel, the challenge, visual sensation, and special ambiance of Troon North sets the standard by which all other courses are measured. The immaculately groomed fairways, bentgrass greens and exceptional customer service create the renowned Troon Golf Experience.  

The Two-Ball day takes place at one of the best tandems of courses in the state and one of the top courses in the US.  We should enjoy a great afternoon of play at this storied resort.

Round 4

Saturday June 29th at 7:30 am -Singles - Match Play

The Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa - #2 course in AZ and #37 in US

Round 5

Saturday June 29th at 2:00 pm -Singles - Match Play - Shotgun

The Saguro Course at We-Ko-Pa - #3 course in AZ and #40 in US

The Cholla and Suguaro Courses at We-Ko-Pa

And so we begin the ever stressful singles matches – this is where the cup is usually won and lost. The Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa is dramatic to say the least as it plays across desert washes and atop ridges flowing seamlessly into greens tucked into hillsides and desert arroyos.  This is a course where you hope your game can hold up under the intense pressure of the singles matches.

After several days of memorable golf, the Suguaro Course is where legends will be made.  Bring it at this incredible finishing course and the prize money and the bragging rights for the next year can be yours.  This course plays more traditional but is just as hard and earns it’s top ranking as one of the best courses in America. 

Saturday Night immediately after conclusion of play – Desert Cup Dinner and Award Ceremony

The location of the closing ceremonies is still yet to be determined but no doubt it will be near or at the hotel.

The Tournament hotel this year is the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort, a AAA Four Diamond Resort, which is located adjacent to We-Ko-Pa Golf Club.  The resort is very central to the courses we will be playing on Friday and Saturday and should be a very convienient home base for us during our stay.

I couldn’t be more excited to get back together this Summer and I look forward to seeing everyone again.  This year the total cost should be about $500 and dinner Sat night will not be included.  I recognize that the cost is a little more than we have paid in years past, but I believe the quality of play will also be at a different level.  

To put it in perspective – the only other courses we have played over the years that have made the Sports Illustration Top 100 list are #53 The Stadium Course at PGA West (which we played in Year 1) and #65 Wolf Creek (which we played a few years ago). Four of the five courses we will play this year are ranked higher than The Stadium Course at PGA West.  So, this is a substantial leap forward.

I need you to send me a deposit of $300 by March 20th.  If this presents a problem for you, please let me know and we can make an exception.  It is very important for you to send you deposit in on time.  I have money going out to pay deposits on the hotel rooms and for the golf.  Your spot is not safe until your deposit is paid.  This year we have more interest in playing than we have spots.  Those who are getting this e-mail have priority to play but -  If I don’t have your money by March 22^nd your spot is back on the open market and I will start moving down the list of people I know who are interested players.  I think we all know there are always people who would love your spot.

Please don’t make me have to send you a personal reminder e-mail – it is a pain for me to try and keep you up to speed on paying. 

Send your $300.00 deposit to: Brandon Walker  - 432 Lexington Circle – Oceanside, CA – 92057

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing everyone soon -