Raitt and Shadbolt burn up the desert

Andy Raitt shot an impressive final round of 65 to claim first place alongside Tom Shadbolt at The Arizona Classic Pro-Am.

One of The PGA's longest running events attracted a strong field which included former European Tour players and top regional PGA Professionals.

Pro-Am Tour veteran Darren Prosser set the pace early on in round one at the exclusive Desert Highlands Golf Club, one of Scottsdale's most prestigious private clubs. Posser shot a superb opening 68 and was joined at the top by Shadbolt on the same score later in the day.

Blackstone Country Club was the magnificent setting for the second round where another Pro-Am Tour regular, Simon Lilly, shot an outstanding round of 63. But it was Shadbolt who followed his opening round score with a 66 to take a two-shot lead and at this point he was five ahead of Raitt.

Scoring proved to be more difficult in round three at the Grayhawk Raptor Course but Guy Woodman and Raitt managed to finish their round on five-under-par (67). Shadbolt shot 69 to hold a three-shot leading heading into the final round.

The We-Ko-Pa Golf Club on the local Indian Reservation staged the final round on the Saguaro Course, and Darren Prosser set the pace with a 66 to close his week on 14-under-par.

Winning team (left to right) – Ben Haynes, Josh Haynes, Andy Raitt & Andrew Bernard.

Then came Shadbolt who ended his week with another 68 to post a score of 16-under-par. However, Raitt’s superb 65, his lowest round of the week, saw him tie with Shadbolt and as the pair shared first prize.

In addition to the Pro-Am, a Challenge Day was played at Troon North which was won by Phil Beever and Simon Lilly. A Challenge Day was also played at TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, host course for The PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open. Competitors enjoyed the full PGA Tour experience and once again it was Beever and Lilly who tied for top spot.

In the team event, Raitt alongside amateur players Andrew Bernard, Ben Haynes and Joshua Haynes claimed victory, while James Ablett’s team were second and Guy Woodman's side came third.

The Arizona Classic is just one of a series of Pro-Am Tour events organised by The American Golf Holiday. Others include The California Classic Pro-Am, The Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am, The Pinehurst Classic Pro-Am, The Sawgrass Classic Pro-Am, and The Pro-Am Tour at Pebble Beach.

Further information is available at www.pro-amtour.com or contacting PGA Member Craig Trower on 023 8046 5885