Tom Weiskopf hosts USGA event at his first design in Arizona, as his last design opens in Utah

SCOTTSDALE (Ariz.) — In a sense, everything has come full circle.

Tom Weiskopf’s final golf design, Black Desert opened on May 1st in St. George Utah. This is a growing golf community. This jewel has already landed a PGA Tour stop, which will be coming in the fall of 2024. The LPGA will also stage an event in the area, beginning in 2025.

Black Desert is Weiskopf’s 73rd course, and he designed it with his partner Phil Smith. The portfolio includes layouts all over the world. The U.S. is home to dozens of golf courses, as well as Scotland, Italy, and China.

The first of his designs was built in Arizona, in a remote part of north Scottsdale called Troon Country Club. This name is a nod to Royal Troon, Scotland, where Weiskopf’s only major, the Open Championship, in 1973, took place.

Smith said, “It is funny because we counted them and they are 73.” “Can you imagine that?” “We came up with 73 between design and renovation and that seems to be the lucky number for him.”

Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed the private layout of Troon CC with which they will host the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in 2023, from Sept. 30 to October 5. This will be the second U.S. The 1990 U.S. Mid-Amateur was the first USGA event to be played in Arizona. This will be the 17th USGA event in Arizona.

Smith stated that “Weiskopf courses can be played by anyone or can be designed to be played only by the best players in the world.” “We always based our design on that.” “We based our design philosophy on that always.”

Troon CC is ranked 12th in Golfweek’s list of the best private golf courses Arizona. The back nine is Troon CC’s strongest stretch.

• The par-4 14, dubbed “The Cliff”, features a dramatic elevated second shot over a desert transition leading to a large, green.
• The 15th hole, also known as “Troon Mountain”, is the par-3 that has the Pinnacle peak towering above the green.
• The 16th par-4 hole is known as the “Gunsight” and features a pair large boudlers through which you can hit your tee-shot while aiming for what many people say is a gun sight-shaped formation in the distance.

Troon CC, like many Weiskopf-designed courses, features a par 4 that can be driven. The fourth hole will play at 244 yards for senior amateurs.

The USGA conducted its first site visit in 2019 for the Senior Women’s Am. Troon CC won the event in 2021. Weiskopf, who passed away in August 2022 was a participant in the tournament’s preparations.

“It’s ironic. “Troon is where we started, and where he discovered he was sick. That’s where were when he learned he had cancer,” Smith said.

The USGA received 594 applications, a record number. This tournament was first played in the year 1962. Shelly Stouffer, the defending champion, is one of 132 golfers who are in the field. Laura Tennant, a three-time winner of the tournament, is also competing. She won in 2021 and 2019, as well as 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the 2020 event.

All golfers will play two rounds each of stroke play on Sept. 39 and October 1. The top 64 golfers then will play five rounds match play with the 18-hole championship scheduled for Thursday, October 5.

The most important thing is that Troon was where Tom began and won the award for best new course straight out of his gate. “Who does that?,” Smith marveled. Smith marveled.

I think they are doing a great job hosting this event. Tom and his club are in a great position.