The Wigwam’s Gold Course Set to Host U.S. Open Qualifier
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (May 3, 2018) – The Wigwam’s Gold Course will host an 18-hole Local Qualifying tournament on Monday, May 14th for the 118th U.S. Open. Top qualifiers from The Wigwam will move-on to a 36-hole Sectional Qualifying tournament for a chance to compete in the USGA Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York June 14 – 17, 2018. A total of 84 golfers have registered to qualify at The Wigwam.
Since opening in 1965, The Wigwam’s Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed Gold Course has hosted numerous U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Qualifiers. However, 2018 marks the first time since 2011 that the Gold Course has hosted a USGA qualifying event. In 2015, the Gold Course underwent an extensive renovation project led by former British Open champion and PGA TOUR veteran Tom Lehman and The Wigwam’s ownership group, JDM Partners. Renovation work focused on modernizing the bunkering and layout of the 7,430-yard, par-72 course while still keeping Trent Jones Sr.’s original strategic-intent in place. Specifically, bunkers were strategically placed for today’s game, while fairway/target lines were moved left and right off the tee. All 18 of Trent Jones Sr.’s signature greens were left untouched during the renovation project.
“Our 2015 renovation really put the Gold Course back on the map for hosting top level tournaments,” said Leo Simonetta, director of golf at The Wigwam Golf Club. “The Arizona Golf Association and the USGA recognized the incredible work Lehman and JDM did here and awarded The Wigwam this local qualifying tournament.”
Golf course (and resort) renovations have also grabbed the attention of several prominent golf and travel publications in their annual ‘best-of’ rankings. GOLF Magazine, Golf.com, GolfWeek and Conde Nast Traveler have all recognized The Wigwam for its exceptional golf, premier accommodations and historical significance.
In addition to hosting top level USGA tournaments, The Wigwam’s Gold Course annually plays host to the Patriot All-America Invitational, one of the top collegiate competitions in the world. Established in 2011, current PGA TOUR stars who have played in the Patriot All-America Invitational during their college careers, include: 2017 US Open champion Brooks Koepka (2011), 2017 PGA Championship winner and FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas (2011), Patrick Rodgers (2011), Daniel Berger (2012) and Bryson DeChambeau (2013). 2016 Patriot All-America champion Cameron Champ recently turned professional and is now playing on the PGA TOUR.
About Wigwam Golf
The Wigwam is Arizona’s only 54-hole golf resort. The Red Course is a Robert “Red” Lawrence design, while the Gold and Blue courses were both designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Both Jones-designed courses have recently undergone extensive renovations focused on modernizing the layouts while still keeping the master architect’s original strategic-intent in place. The results have been spectacular, with the Gold Course recently vaulting to the top of best-in-state rankings. And, unlike the many desert golf courses found throughout the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, The Wigwam’s Gold, Blue and Red courses are all true parkland courses with parallel fairways and greens, make finding your ball and hitting your next shot even easier.