Where to Play

A list of amateur golf tournaments in Arizona

Author

Terence Daniels
March 26, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

Welcome to The Cactus Club, where I highlight cool sh*t in the world of golf.

This Week: Whether you’re a scratch player gunning for trophies or just eager to compete, Arizona’s amateur golf scene has a tournament for you.

Thank you Hubble Golf for supporting our 1,300 readers.

I've known Cory, the founder of Hubble, since our mini-tour grinding days over a decade ago. He's been laser-focused on this vision ever since.

Navigating junior golf tournaments, travel planning, and budgeting can feel like a triple bogey.

Enter Hubble, your one-stop digital caddie that simplifies tournament discovery, travel logistics, and cost management into one sleek, intuitive platform. But golf is just teeing off. Hubble's innovative technology is crafted to scale beyond golf into the broader $500B+ global sports travel industry.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, Hubble connects the dots seamlessly, giving you less hassle and more fairways. Cory and the Hubble team aren't just solving today's headaches. They're building tomorrow's ecosystem.

Arizona Golf Tours

Whether you’re a scratch player or just starting, there’s an event tailored for you. Here’s a curated list of 10 tournament organizers in the Grand Canyon State, complete with all the details you need.

Details: Random Golf Club Phoenix brings golfers together for fun, nontraditional events focusing more on camaraderie than competition. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just picked up the game, RGC’s inclusive and relaxed vibe makes it a great way to experience it differently.

Season: Year-round

Skill Level: Learning

Details: Spark Golf is the largest recreational golf league in the U.S., offering 9-hole, social golf leagues at courses all over Arizona. The flexible, app-based format makes joining a league near you easy, playing when it fits your schedule, and connecting with other local golfers.

Season: Spring, Summer, and Fall leagues

Skill Level: Learning

Details: A modern take on golf leagues, the Players Golf League offers a structured yet relaxed environment for golfers who want competitive play without the country club commitment.

Season: Year-round

Skill: Intermediate

Details: This tour uses The Grint app for real-time scoring and handicap tracking and delivers a structured, tournament-style environment at top courses across Arizona.

Season: Year-round

Skill Level: Intermediate

Details: The Golfweek Amateur Tour provides amateur golfers a pro-like experience, hosting tournaments across Arizona’s premier courses. It’s perfect for those looking to test their skills in a competitive setting.

Season: March through September

Skills: Intermediate

Details: A developmental tour for women professionals and amateurs, offering competitive events across the Southwest. It’s an excellent platform for those aiming to sharpen their competitive edge.

Season: Year-round

Skill: High

Details: The Southwest PGA caters to professionals and amateurs, organizing events like the Arizona Open and providing competitive opportunities across the region.

Season: Year-round

Skill: High

Details: The AGA has been Arizona's official governing body of amateur golf since 1923. It offers many events for both men and women golfers, from state championships to casual outings, catering to all skill levels.

Season: Year-round

Skill Level: High

Details: Established in 1915, the SWGA hosts the prestigious Southwestern Amateur, one of the longest-running regional amateur tournaments in the U.S. They offer competitive opportunities for top-ranked amateurs.

Season: Annually in June

Skill Level: Elite

Details: If you’re looking for high-stakes action, the AZ Skins Game is where you want to be. This is a weekly cash game where you can put your money where your mouth is, with big paydays up for grabs.

Season: Year-round

Skill: Elite

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Here are 10 fun facts about the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon Country Club:

🏆 Back to the Desert – This marks the second time Troon Country Club is hosting the U.S. Mid-Am, the first being in 1990. Arizona golf is on the map!

⛳ Weiskopf’s First Masterpiece – Troon Country Club was Tom Weiskopf’s first-ever golf course design, inspired by his 1973 Open Championship win at Royal Troon. He even included 73 bunkers as a tribute to that victory.

🌵 Double the Troon, Double the Challenge – Stroke play will be split between Troon Country Club and Troon North Golf Club, using a routing that combines holes from the Pinnacle and Monument courses.

🎟️ Tough Ticket to the Show – Only 264 competitors will tee it up in Scottsdale, but over a thousand elite amateurs will attempt to qualify at sites across the country.

⏳ Young Guns Need Not Apply – This championship is strictly for players 25 and older, making it a rare USGA event where college stars aren’t stealing the spotlight.

🔥 The Ultimate Grind – Whoever wins will have played 8 rounds in 6 days (2 stroke play, 6 match play), including a 36-hole final on September 188 in the Arizona heat.

🏌️‍♂️ A Masters Ticket on the Line – The champ not only gets a gold medal and a U.S. Open exemption but also a likely invite to the 2026 Masters (as long as they stay amateur).

🌟 History Favors the Veterans – Past winners include Stewart Hagestad (3x champ), Nathan Smith (4x champ), and Jay Sigel (3x champ), all known for their legendary amateur careers.

🎯 Short but Tricky – Troon Country Club will play just 6,915 yards, par 70, but with narrow fairways, elevation changes, and Weiskopf’s notorious greens, it won’t be a pushover.

🌅 Prime-Time Golf – With Scottsdale sunsets and desert mountain backdrops, expect some of the most scenic tournament shots of the year, especially with Troon’s signature elevated tee boxes.

Tracking every shot with Big Game

#9 at Troon Country Club

In The Know

My journey to qualifying starts on April 14 at the Southwest PGA Pro-Am in Wickenburg. Nothing gets my competitive juices flowing like chasing a USGA Championship spot.

It feels like a lifetime since I teed it up in the 2010 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay (played with Justin Thomas). It's time to buckle down, sharpen my short game, and remind myself that I still have some gas left in the tank.

Looking to see how a scratch golfer whips their game into shape for tournament season?

I’ll explain the process, from range sessions and short-game tips to gym workouts and on-course play. The best part?

It’s free for everyone, and you only need 10 hours weekly.

🗓️ Events

  • Experience the Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club from March 27-30! Enjoy LPGA action, exclusive fan activities, free lessons, specialty shopping, and exciting prize opportunities. (more)

  • Join Natalie at Dobson Ranch next week for a pre-Women's Golf Day. Ladies only! (more)

  • Gila River Resorts & Casinos is the Title Sponsor for the 2025 Grass Clippings Open, marking a key milestone for the growing Grass League community. (more)

  • Join USGA’s free Rules of Golf webinars. Free Relief (March 27, and Penalty Relief April 23 hosted by expert Rules Staff. (more)

  • Mike Trout and Barry Enright teamed up for Hollywood Hitters, battling D-backs Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen under Grass League lights. Baseball meets primetime golf! (more)

  • Do you want to play with me in April? (more)

📰 News

  • AZ GOLF adopts USGA’s new gender policy, prioritizing competitive fairness; transgender athletes must transition pre-puberty for women’s events, and the policy applies immediately across championships. (more)

  • Arizona's thriving $6 billion golf industry proudly serves 16.6 million rounds annually, using just 2% of statewide water, thanks to innovative irrigation! (more)

  • Maddie Storm went from beverage cart driver to golf course superintendent in just seven years, breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible for women in golf management. (more)

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