Classic display sees Craig crowned king of the desert

Craig Cowper followed in the footsteps of Phil Mickelson with a storming display in American Golf Holiday's annual Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am.

The Horton Park attached pro, who was among a record crowd of 179,000 that watched Mickelson on the Saturday on his way to a four stroke win in the Phoenix Open, unleashed some of his own golfing fireworks with rounds of 71, 65, 70 and 67.

His four round total left him 13-under-par and eight strokes clear of Darren Prosser (Halfpenny Green) with Nevill Golf Club's Jamie Harris third on one over par with the foundations for his win laid a superb second round 65 at Quintero Golf Club.

Meanwhile the AGM pro-am also included a Welcome Challenge Day at Grayhawk Golf Club which was won by PGA Europro Tour player James Heath while cCompetitors also played 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.

Among the AGH team was former European No. 1 and 1989 Ryder Cup player Ronan Rafferty who played with his son Jonathan but despite his pedigree it was the American side that triumphed.

In the team event for the Scottsdale Classic, Kirby Muxloe's Matt Stephens and his team of Dave Mitchell, Steve Fellows and Mike Chapman put in a strong finish over the last two days to secure victory. Rafferty's team were second, and Anthony Sproston's team were third while the best dressed team award went to Bruce Whipham's team for their brightly coloured British outfits.

Afterwards a victorious Cowper paid tribute to the organisers with a special mention for Scottsdale's TPC Classic course: "I have played in many of American Golf Holiday's Pro-Am Tour events and Scottsdale has to be as good as it gets as a golf destination."

American Golf Holiday's Pro-Am Tour events also include The California Classic, The Arizona Classic, The Las Vegas Classic, The Hawaiian Classic, The Sawgrass Classic, The Whistling Straits Classic, and The Pro-Am Tour at Pebble Beach.

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