Steve DeHaven (left) and Phil Smyth compete at AGA Club Team Championship
Howie Tiger
Steve DeHaven and Phil Smyth, PCMGA members, competed in the Super Senior flight at the Arizona Golf Association Club Team Championship. The format was a 2-man scramble. There was a 6-drive minimum for each player. The championship final round was played at Corte Bella Golf Club in Sun City West on Dec. 13. This was their first trip to the Finals.
The AGA Club Team Championship qualifying process began on Sept. 1, in a local event held at our Eagle’s Nest golf course. Forty-four teams competed for low gross and low net scores. Three teams in the all-age flight and three teams in the super senior flight advanced to a regional qualifier (several locations). The all-age teams that advanced included Ed Salko and Julius Aquino, Reuben Rivera and Dave Green, and Jeff Stroup and Mark Farrow. The super senior teams that advanced included Rick Kesig and Jack Stipp, Bill Gainer and Chuck Veltri, and Steve and Phil.
At the Regionals, all six PebbleCreek teams gave it their all and represented our community well. However, only Steve and Phil advanced to the Finals.
At the Regionals, Steve and Phil competed against eight teams at Views Country Club in Oro Valley (Tucson) on Nov. 6. They played the silver tees on this 5,800 yard par-72 layout. With a starting time of 12:40 p.m. on a sunny 70-degree day, they had terrific playing conditions. They made four birdies and two bogeys for a gross score of 2-under par 70. Their handicap was 4.15 making their net score a 65.85, which was low enough to win their flight and advance to the Finals.
Steve and Phil recalled two highlights during the Regionals. On the par-5 2nd hole, Phil hit a spectacular third shot to within 6 inches for a tap-in birdie. On the par-4 15th hole, they both missed the green. They had a choice for their third shot. Either from a greenside bunker or from the rough. They chose the shot from the rough. Steve hit a terrific chip to within 6 inches for a tap-in par.
At the Finals at Corte Bella, Steve and Phil competed against seven other teams. The par-72 course played 5,800 yards from the bronze tees. They faced cool conditions and a course with fast undulating greens and lots of bunkers. They were paired with two great guys from Prescott. When asked how they played, they said, “At Eagle’s Nest and at the Regionals we ham and egged it. At the Finals we had a shortage of eggs!”
Steve and Phil want to thank the PCMGA for their support in this statewide tournament. Both described the tourney as “so well run” and said, “It was a wonderful experience.”
Congratulations to Steve and Phil on their performance and representing PebbleCreek well!