WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE SOUTHWESTERN AMATEUR The longest running amateur golf tournament in the Western United States 2010 will mark the 95th Annual Southwestern Amateur conducted by the Southwestern Golf Association

HOME - 2010 TOURNAMENT INFORMATION PLAYER'S INFORMATION TOURNAMENT HISTORY ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS TOURNAMENT FIELD TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE TOURNAMENT ENTRY TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS CONTACT SWGA   CURRENT TOURNAMENT RESULTS

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

LAST YEAR'S RESULTS	94 YEARS OF	STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONS
	SOUTHWESTERN TRADITION	MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONS

Since 1915 the Southwestern Golf Association (SWGA) has held an annual Amateur Men's Golf Championship that has been played throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Northern Mexico and West Texas. The year 2010 marks the 95th annual event, making the Southwestern Amateur one of the 2nd oldest continuing amateur championships in the United States. It being played before Bobby Jones made his U.S. Amateur debut at age fourteen, and before the PGA was even formed. A review of the past champions list is like taking a walk back through time. The championship format was match play from 1915 through 1965 (except for a war-time break of 1943-1945). In 1966 a 72-hole stroke play format was adopted and currently is played in the same format as a PGA Tour event, except that field reduction cuts are made after 36 and 54 holes. The field size has been reduced over the last few years to a maximum of 154 players and typically receives over 300 requests for an invitation to compete. This annual event brings together the top collegiate and amateur golfers from throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and top-ranked international players.  The Southwestern has always maintained very high qualification standards for all players, not only for playing capabilities, but also for respect for the game of golf, his fellow competitors, and the host facility. Many of our previous champions and tournament competitors have gone on to successful careers including membership on the PGA Tour. A review of the past champions list is a testament to this. Now talented golfers from throughout the WORLD mark their calendars well in advance to gain entry to this event. Over the last several years' players who are listed among top-200 Men's Amateur ranking have played in this event. Bob Goldwater who is remembered as  the "Father of the Phoenix Open," won his first tournament in 1927, and won it again in 1942 and 1951 - a span of 24 years from his first to last victory.  Dr. James Vance and Vern "Spec" Stewart are tied for the most wins with 6 each.  Dr. Ed Updegraff has won 4 times - 3 in the match play era and once in the stroke play era. Scott Frisch won 3 consecutive stroke play titles between 1987-1989. With the turnover rate of quality amateur players who turn professional, the possibility of these records being broken is extremely small.   The Southwestern Amateur has many times ranked among the top 10 open amateur events in the world because of the class of players entering the field.  The prestigious list of champions and participants, and the number of players that have gone on to have successful PGA and Champions Tour careers out numbers nearly every other amateur golf tournament in the world.   The event is now typically held within two weeks of the NCAA Division I Championships. College coaches include the Southwestern Amateur in their summer "must play" schedule. As the tournament continues to receive national attention from top-ranked players, many of our participants go on to play in Palmer Cup, Walker Cup and World Amateur competitions. The SWGA is supported by an outstanding group of volunteer directors, who continually strive to provide a high quality event strictly for the amateur golfer.

What do Bob Goldwater, Dr. Ed Updegraff (the Tucson amateur legend), and PGA Tour players Jim Carter, Corey Pavin, Tom Pernice Jr., Mark O'Meara, Craig Stadler, Jay Haas, Ted Purdy, Nick Watney and Ryan Palmer all have in common? They are past champions of the Southwestern Amateur!

SOME OF THE PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS AND TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS THAT HAVE GONE ON TO THE PGA TOUR

COREY PAVIN   CRAIG STADLER   BILLY MAYFAIR 1981 Champion   1975 Champion   1984 Runner-up                 MARK O'MEARA   RICH BEEM   NICK WATNEY 1980 Champion   1993 Runner-up   2002 Champion               TOM PERNICE, JR.   TIM HERRON   RYAN PALMER 1982 Champion   1992 Runner-up   1999 Champion                 JAY HAAS   TED PURDY     1976 Champion   1993 Champion