No surprises in the desert

The desert playground of Scottsdale, Arizona, played host to the Annual Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am, which saw a usual name top the pile!

In the main 72-hole Pro-Am, PGA EuroPro Tour player Billy Hemstock stormed into a six shot lead with superb opening rounds of 63 and 68. 

However, Midland Region professional Simon Lilly (above) relied on all his desert golf experience to close with rounds of 66 and 67 to overtake Hemstock.  The final round was staged at the magnificent TPC Scottsdale which was presented in magnificent tournament condition. Kings Hill’s Benn Barham finished third.

In the team event, Hemstock led his team to a comfortable wire to wire victory.  Craig Goodfellow’s team finished second, with Lilly’s team third.

Lilly was full of praise for the Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am: “I have played in many Pro-Am Tour events in Scottsdale – they are all superb, and they provide a fantastic opportunity to play world class courses that PGA Pros would not normally be able to play. Scottsdale has to be as good as it gets as a winter golf destination.”

The Pro-Am also included a Welcome Challenge Day at Grayhawk Golf Club which was won by former European Tour player Barham.