Woodman sizzles in Arizona Desert

Record temperatures for November greeted competitors for The Pro-Am Tour's first event of their winter series with competitors enjoying daytime highs in the upper eighties and a week of continuous sunshine in the Arizona desert.

Once again The Arizona Classic Pro-Am, one of the PGA's longest running events, attracted a strong field of former European Tour players and top regional PGA Professionals. The event boasts play on four of the finest desert golf courses in America: Desert Highlands, Blackstone Country Club, Grayhawk Raptor Course and We-Ko-Pa Cholla Course.

Tournament round one was staged at the exclusive Desert Highlands Golf Club, one of Scottsdale's top private clubs, to which the event provides unique access. Many consider that this is the course where Jack Nicklaus invented desert target style golf and it was presented in immaculate condition.

Pro-Am Tour rookie Guy Woodman adapted quickly to desert golf shooting a superb 67 to lead his South Region colleague Andy Raitt by two shots. A BBQ was enjoyed after play on the club's elevated patio, where competitors enjoyed a spectacular view across the "Valley of the Sun". Many lingered well after play to enjoy a stunning desert sunset which would be repeated every night throughout the week.

Winning team (L to R): Dave Roberts, Guy Woodman, Richard Beach & Malcolm Wager.

Another magnificent private club, Blackstone Country Club, staged Tournament Round 2, where Cooden Beach Professional, Paul Nessling shot an outstanding 63 (a personal best) to tie Andy Raitt in second place, and just one shot behind Woodman. However former European Tour Player Benn Barham provided some excitement when he held his second shot at the Par 5 9th hole for an albatross 2. But would this be good enough for shot of the tournament?

In round three at the former PGA Tour venue, Grayhawk Golf Club Raptor Course, scoring was more difficult and Woodman would call upon all his experience to grind out a one under par 71 to maintain his one-shot lead over Raitt. Surrey Down's Craig Cowper shot an excellent 69 to move up to fourth just behind Nessling.

The breathtakingly scenic We-Ko-Pa Golf Club on the local Indian Reservation staged the final round on the Cholla Course, and a steady two under par 70 would be good enough for Woodman to claim victory by two shots from Raitt, while Cowper & Nessling would tie for third.

In addition to the Pro-Am, Challenge Days were played at Troon North - won by Andy Raitt, with Craig Cowper, Simon Lilly & Martin Woodbridge tied for second, as well as TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course - host course for the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open. With the massive grandstands being constructed around the course the competitors enjoyed the full PGA Tour experience. Paul Nessling played inspired golf to win with an impressive 40 points, with Jason Kelly & Guy Woodman tied for second with 37 points.

In the team event Guy Woodman's team of Richard Beach, Dave Roberts & Malcolm Wager claimed victory, after an exciting competition with the lead changing several times. Jamie Harris' team were second and Paul Nessling's team third.

During the event a number of teams took advantage of the scenic attractions on offer in Arizona, with one team taking a helicopter flight over the famous red rocks of Sedona, with another team taking an airplane tour to the Grand Canyon.

Benn Barham (picture left) topped off an exceptional week of great shots by holing a 7 iron for a hole-in-one on the 11th hole at We-Ko-Pa, but was this a better shot of the tournament than his albatross two? Either way it certainly contributed to a brilliant atmosphere at the prizegiving dinner!

The Arizona Classic is just one of a series of high quality 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 contact John Hooper at Tel. 023 8046 5885