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For Immediate Release

Contact:

Kathy Wilkes, (480) 443-9002

Drew Wathey, (602) 482-2738

 

 

SWSPGA PROS AND AGA TO TEE IT UP IN 46TH ANNUAL GOLDWATER CUP ON NOVEMBER 27-28 AT SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

SWSPGA Pros Hold 32-13 Lead in Prestigious Tournament

 

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (November 14, 2006) –With his recent passing, Bob Goldwater, Sr’s legacy in Arizona golf will forever be linked to the tournament that bears his name, the Goldwater Cup. The Ryder-Cup style matches is celebrating its 46th year of play later this month at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club and while the pros hold a sizeable advantage in the event, amateurs took control in the early tournaments. Once Phoenix began developing more golf courses and the influx of golf professionals escalated, the professionals have never looked back. “Bob Goldwater Sr. was one-of-a-kind and meant so much to the game of golf here in Arizona. He was a true joy to be around and more than anyone else in our state, brought golf to the stature that it enjoys today, as one of the world’s top golfing destinations. He will be truly missed,” said Kathy Wilkes, Executive Director of the Southwest Section – PGA of America.

Bob Goldwater, Sr. grew up along the fairways and greens of Arizona and under the tutelage of his mother loved to play the game of golf. At 16 years old and a senior at Phoenix Union High School, Goldwater captured the Arizona Amateur Championship. Two years earlier, at the tender age of 14, he finished runner-up in the same event to Charlie MacArthur.  He went on to play college golf at Stanford and later returned to the Valley of the Sun from northern California to forge his imprint on the game.

His name has always been connected with the Phoenix Open, now known as the FBR Open. As the PGA TOUR’s most well-attended golf event, Goldwater is affectionately called, the “Father of the Tournament” as in its early days, Goldwater literally ran the entire operation, from selling tickets to recruiting pros to come to Arizona in the winter to play golf. And come they did, from Ben Hogan to Byron Nelson to Lloyd Mangrum along with good friend Bob Hope.

Goldwater’s passion for the game always resonated with pride for the Goldwater Cup Matches which features some of the state’s finest players from the professional and amateur ranks. This year’s event will get underway on November 27-28 at Superstition Mountain G&CC.

                The matches began in 1960 with the amateur squad holding a decided advantage over the pros, but since the early 80’s, the pros have not looked back, winning 22 straight matches including last year’s tightly-contested 23.5-18.5 win. Overall, the SWSPGA pros hold a commanding 32-13 edge in the prestigious golf event. The first day of competition between the SWSPGA and the Arizona Golf association will feature best ball matches in the morning followed by alternate shot play in the afternoon. Single matches will make up the final day of play in the 2006 Goldwater Cup.

                This year, the SWSPGA professionals are once again fielding an impressive squad. Led by four-time SWSPGA Player-of-the-Year Don Yrene of The Golf Club Scottsdale, other pros expected to participate include Scott Frisch, Rich Elias, Ken Carpenter, Ralph West, Jay Synkelma, Tony Rohlik, Dean Vomacka, Wade Dunagan, Jon Chaffee, Greg Avant and Glen Griffith.

The SWSPGA Seniors hold a 19-10 series lead with three ties against their AGA compatriots. Last year, the SWSPGA Seniors captured the Cup 10.5 to 7.5.

                Senior division players this year include 2005 SWSPGA Senior Player of the Year Larry Mackin, Greg Harmon, Bob Mann, Jay Friedman, Mike Wright, Mike Malaska, John Jackson, Dave Kluver, Mark Spolarich, Bob Phillips, Chip Garriss and Earl Svenningsen.

                “This year’s Goldwater Cup will take on a very special feeling for everyone involved with the tournament as I’m sure Bob’s spirit will be profoundly felt throughout the golf course,” added Wilkes.          

For more information on the 2006 Goldwater Cup Matches, call the Southwest Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America at (480) 443-9002 or visit their web site at www.southwest.pga.com.

 

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