Broadhurst sizzles in sunny Scottsdale

Ex-Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst turned up the heat to win the annual Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am.

Broadhurst, attached to Northants County, fired rounds of 69, 69, 72 and 64 for a 274 (-13) total and two stroke victory over Teignmouth Golf Club’s Billy Hemstock.

Chris Gane (Lefthandedgolf at Silvermere) and James Ablett were tied third on seven-under-par 280.

The pro-am was staged after the US PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open and attracted a strong field of professionals including several former European Tour players which was highlighted in the Welcome Challenge Day at Grayhawk Golf Club with James Heath the winning professional on 37 points, and Broadhurst, Stephen McAllister and Simon Lilly tied for second.

Heath also won the mid-week TPC Scottsdale Challenge Day with a score of 36 points. Playing the venue straight after the WM Phoenix Open proved a memorable experience for all the competitors, with the course in top condition and the grandstands still in place.

The extensive itinerary also allowed some of the competitors to play in The Scottsdale Cup a Ryder Cup style match played against the members of Desert Highlands Golf Club - one of Arizona’s most prestigious private clubs.  However, once again the American team proved too strong as they cruised to victory.

In the main 72-hole pro-am, the lead would change several times over the four days of continuous sunshine and sizzling temperatures before Broadhurst truimphed.

Adam Gee made a fast start with a 67 at FireRock Country Club, only to be caught by Hemstock who shot a second round 65 at We-Ko-Pa.

In the third round the co-leaders would struggle allowing Ablett to establish a four shot lead after an excellent 69 on the difficult Las Sendas course.

In the final round at Kierland Golf Club Hemstock would mount a charge to overtake Ablett with a superb round of 67, but it would be the six time European Tour winner Broadhurst who would shoot a sensational 64 to take the title and $3,000 worth of prizemoney.

The team event was equally close and exciting with Ben St John’s Woodcote Park team charging through the field on the final day to win by two shots from Billy Hemstock, with Anthony Sproston’s team third.

The Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am is just one of The American Golf Holiday’s Pro-Am Tour events.

Further information can be obtained from The American Golf Holiday, telephone 023 8046 5885, or at their website www.pro-amtour.com.