Ablett shines in Arizona desert

James Ablett held off the challenge of PGA Cup ace Benn Barham to win the 18th Arizona Classic Pro-Am at Scottsdale by two strokes.

The 72-hole pro-am was staged over four of the desert’s most challenging courses - Desert Highlands, Quintero, Grayhawk and We-Ko-Pa – and Lee on the Solent attached Ablett’s 292 total put him ahead of Kings Hill teaching pro Barham.

Prince’s Golf Club’s Rob McGuirk was a further shot behind Barham who starred in Great Britain & Ireland’s PGA Cup team against the United States in September.

The team event was equally close with the lead changing several times before Luke Bangerter’s team  of Andrew Bernard, Ben Haynes and Raj Munde charged through the field on the final round to claim victory.

McGuirk’s team was second with Stephane Chauffour’s team third.

Ablett also won the Troon North Challenge Day, while Brett Taylor was victorious in the TPC Scottsdale Challenge Day.

The Arizona Classic is one of a series of pro-am tour events organised by The American Golf Holiday including the California Classic Pro-Am, Scottsdale Classic Pro-Am, Sawgrass Classic Pro-Am, and Whistling Straits Classic Pro-Am.

For full details of the schedule see www.pro-amtour.com or contact John Hooper on 023 8046 5885