McKenzie Tour regular Yannick Paul ran away with the Arizona Open in Phoenix this year…capturing the $20,000 first prize…at 18 under par for a three shot win. Although the event is mostly populated by PGA professionals, it was also open to amateurs…and a few local amateurs not only made the cut…but finished in the top 30. Foothills grad Reece Nilsen was the second placed amateur at -9 and CDO grad Jonathon Walters was right behind him at -8. Due to their amateur status, both Nilsen and Walters had to forego the price money available to golfers finishing in their spot. Walters completed a taxing double, making the match play portion of the Arizona Amateur the week before
The top S. Arizona pro was The Gallery’s Travis Gonda at -7. Former Arizona Open and Tucson Open winner Jim Carter finished at -7 as well. One other S. Arizona pro, Chris Dompier made the cut, finishing at three under.
Jake Chanen, a senior at Grand Canyon University, won the Arizona Amateur, played just days before the Arizona Open. It’s Chanen’s second Arizona Am victory…taking the title for the first time in 2018.
