So as not to be outdone by the NBA, NFL and the other major sports leagues, the PGA is kicking off it’s own version of the playoffs.
PGA “Playoffs”
In August, The top 125 players, in regard to Fed Ex points, get to play three tournaments in three weeks for a bucket of money. The format is very different this year, one that is sure to get a lot of interest before it’s all over.
The top ranked player will start the third and final tournament with a 10 shot cushion on much of the field. The second points leader starts at minus 9, third at minus 8 and so on. Until the 30thguy, who basically has to chase them down.
Folks with Tucson connections who have made the Fed Ex playoff first round are former Rincon/University golfer Michael Thompson, and U of A’ers Jim Furyk and Rory Sabbatini.
US Amateur Championship
Speaking of local golfers, two of Tucson’s top high school golfers in recent memory qualified for the US Amateur Championship. Former Salpointe star and current U of A golfer Trevor Werbylo, and former Foothills state champ Gavin Cohen made it through the qualifiers for a spot at Pinehurst, the site for this year’s tournament. And yes, they’ll be playing both courses.
Even though the US Am is open to all amateurs you need a handicap of 2.4 or better to go to one of 96 qualifiers throughout the country. And if you do, you’ll be one of 7,000 hoping to get one of the 156 tee times, of which 67 are already given to exempt guys who win or place in some big amateur tournaments.
There are a number of golfers with Tucson roots who have left their mark on the US Am. Former Cat All American Manny Zerman was twice runner up, Cat star Ricky Barnes won it all one year, and the already mentioned Michael Thompson was a runner up.
Many winners have gone on to fame and fortune. Guys like Arnie, Jack, Tiger and Phil have won. And so have guys you basically never hear of again like Curtis Luck, Gunn Yang and Colt Knost. The youngest winner ever was Wyndham runner up, Ben An. He won a few years ago when he was 17. Last year’s winner was Victor Hovland, who has left his mark on the PGA tour already this year
High School Season
High school golf tees it up in August. For the boys, look for Salpointe’s Max Krueger to be leading the way, whose dad (by the way) is a PGA Professional. Besides Max, a trio of players have been competing hard this summer in junior golf. Sabino’s Ray Ramirez, Cienega’s Daniel Henely and Sahuarita’s Luis Lopez are all expected to lead their respective schools.
On the girls side, big things are expected out of Foothill’s star Maya Benita, who was runner up in last year’s state championship, and according to Andy Morales, will be playing golf for the U of A next year. Benita is a big hitter, having won a national long drive contest. Also look for Mackenzie McRee from Salpointe to lead the Trojans, who are always good.
And speaking of former Salpointe high school stars…Haylin Harris, who left the school after nearly winning the state champtionship as a sophomore, made it through to match play in this years US Amateur championship.
