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93 years of TOURNAMENT HISTORY What do Bob Goldwater, considered the "Father of the Phoenix Open", Dr. Ed Updegraff, the Tucson amateur legend, and PGA Tour players Jim Carter, Corey Pavin, Tom Pernice Jr., Mark O'Meara, Craig Stadler, Ted Purdy, Nick Watney and Ryan Palmer all have in common? They are past champions of the Southwestern Amateur. The Southwestern Amateur is an event that began in 1915 and is still going strong. The Southwestern was being played before Bobby Jones made his U.S. Amateur debut at age fourteen, and before the PGA was even formed. To review the past champions list is like taking a walk back through time. Bob Goldwater won his first tournament in 1927, and won it again in 1942 and 1951 - a span of 24 years from his first victory.  
Since 1915 the Southwestern Golf Association (SWGA) has held an annual Amateur Men's Golf Championship that has been played throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Northern Mexico and West Texas. The year 2008 marks the 93rd annual event, making the Southwestern Amateur one of the 2ND oldest continuing amateur championships in the United States. The championship format was match play from 1915 until 1966 when the current stroke play format was adopted. The event is now formatted in substantially the same manner as a professional tour event. Dr. James Vance and Vern "Spec" Stewart are tied for the most wins with 6 each. With the turnover rate of quality amateur players who turn professional, the possibility of that record being broken is small. The longest time between the first and last win is 24 years by the late Bob Goldwater, who is remembered as the "Father of the Phoenix Open."
Many of our previous champions and tournament competitors have gone on to successful careers on the PGA Tour. They include Masters & British Open Champion Mark O'Meara, Masters Champion Craig Stadler, US Open Champion Cory Pavin, Jay Haas, Billy Mayfair, Jimmy Carter, Nick Watney, Tim Herron, Rich Beem, and Tom Pernice just to name a few. 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. Match Play History Stroke Play History
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The SWGA is supported by an outstanding group of volunteer Director's, which
continually strives to provide a high quality event strictly for the amateur
golfer. This annual event brings together top collegiate and amateur golfers
from throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and top-ranked international
players.