Coachella Amateur: Ben Sawaia goes wire-to-wire
Ben Sawaia (Coachella Amateur Photo)
UNLV Senior Ben Sawaia from Henderson, Nev., shot 16-under with rounds of 62-70-68 to win the Coachella Amateur by four shots at Terra Lago Golf Course in Indio, Calif.
Sawaia's remarkable opening round of 10-under 62 marked the lowest round in Troon Saguaro Amateur Series history and served as the launching pad for his victory over Baylor Larrabee from Ferndale, WA. Despite Larrabee's strong efforts with rounds of 71-65-68, Sawaia's performance led him to a dominant win, finishing at 16-under, while Larrabee secured the runner-up position at 12-under.
The win also marked Sawaia’s second consecutive win on the amateur circuit following his triumph at the Nevada State Amateur in June.
The 2023 GCAA All-American Scholar Sawaia’s opening round of 62 is the lowest round ever recorded in a Troon Saguaro Amateur Series event and is believed to be the course record on the North Course at Terra Lago GC.
While the initial two rounds of the tournament were marked by warm weather, overnight thunderstorms in the Coachella Valley altered the playing conditions. Despite these challenges, the players managed to navigate the final round, with Jace Hargrove of Lubbock, Tex, achieving the day's lowest score of 65.
A total of 102 amateurs participated in the tournament.
The Troon Saguaro Amateur Series is a world-ranked amateur tournament series that is hosting ten tournaments in the 2023-24 season. This is the second year of the Coachella Amateur, both held on the North Course at Terra Lago Golf Course in Indio, Calif. The Coachella Amateur is the seventh tournament in the series this season.
ABOUT THE Coachella Amateur
Introduced in 2022, the Coachella Amateur is part of
the
Troon Saguaro Amateur Series, and is open to amateur
golfers
who meet the eligibility and exemption requirements
which include position in various rankings, USGA
appearances, and state amateur and mid-amateur
champions. Maximum handicap 3.0.
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