LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (Jan. 7, 2018) – Matthew Schwab is the first Arizona Golf Association champion of 2019 after winning the Arizona Short Course Tournament. Schwab was the only player to get double digits under par at the Wigwam Resort’s Blue Course.
The Short Course Tournament is a unique event, played each year on executive-length courses like the Blue Course at the Wigwam, which played to just over 5,000 yards at a par of 66 (with no par 5s).
Schwab, who hails from Chandler, Ariz., is a sophomore at Hartford University in West Hartford, Conn., and had the second-best scoring average in the fall. He opened the Short Course event with 7-under 59 and followed it with a final-round 62 to reach 11 under. He had a 28 on the back nine in the opening round, and a 29 on the back nine in Round 2.
Runner-up Ted Neville was the only other player to post a round in the 50s at the event. His final-round 59 followed and opening 64, and at 9 under, he finished two shots behind Schwab.
Tony Bagneschi was third at 7 under and Tyler Kertson was fourth at 5 under.
Adam Walicki, the 2018 champion, finished ninth at even par after rounds of 67-65.
