Southwestern Am to make a revolutionary format change in 2020

When the Southwestern Amateur tees off for the 105th time next year, it will be with a unique twist. The long-running tournament is expanding from just the top-ranked male amateurs to include a women’s division. The 2020 Southwestern Amateur will also include a mixed-team division.

The event has been played at the Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., for the past six years and the club will continue to host the newly expanded tournament, which is scheduled for June 17-20, 2020.

“We are excited to be breaking new ground by bringing an additional tournament to women’s amateur golf as well as continuing the 105-year-old men’s tournament,” said John Ranslem, executive director of the Southwestern Golf Association which has sponsored the event since 1915.

The 2020 tournament will remain a four-day event and will be played on two Desert Mountain courses. The team event will be played the first two days while both men’s and women’s individual play will be over four days and 72 holes.

“The SWGA is proud to have supported men’s amateur golf for more than 100 years and we now look forward to supporting women’s amateur and team amateur play for the next millennium,” Ranslem said.

This year’s event will take place June 12-15 on the club’s par 70, 7,019-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature Cochise course.