- Southwestern Amateur photo
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Notre Dame senior
Hunter Ostrom shot a final round five-under-par
65 on Saturday to capture the 104th Annual Southwestern Amateur at Scottsdale’s Desert
Mountain Club in North Scottsdale.
Ostrom (66-65-68-65-264) finished the tournament at 16 under par, three shots better than
AJ Ott (66-67-69-65-267) of Fort Collins, Colo., and Phoenix resident
Gavin Cohen (69-67-64-67-
267). Once again on Saturday, Ostrom relied on his mental game, especially on the back nine. “I
did get some breaks on the front nine--a 20-footer on #9--that got me stable. Yet I knew I had to be
stronger mentally on the back nine.”
Related: Hole-in-one sparks Ostrom to Southwestern Amateur lead
Related: In swirling desert winds, Ostrom maintains Southwestern lead
The senior marketing major from Meridian, Idaho, capped the round with a 4-footer on #18
for birdie. “The greens were a lot firmer today so it made the shots very difficult,” he said.
To stay focused before every round, Ostrom kept to a regular routine and tried not to think
of the next day’s play. “On Friday night I went to the Carefree (Ariz.) Rodeo to keep my mind off the
game.”
Since his parents, Todd and Kim, recently purchased a home and golf membership at
Desert Mountain and will be dividing their time between Scottsdale and Meridian, Ostrom will be
back playing the Desert Mountain courses once he graduates from Notre Dame next spring. “I’ll be
moving here to play winter golf.” He plans to turn professional following graduation.
For Ott, play was a little easier today than in Friday’s windy conditions. A senior at
Colorado State University, Ott got off to a shaky start for the first five holes but came back on the
back nine, putting better than past rounds and shooting a birdie on #7.
Cohen, who recently moved with his family to Phoenix from Tucson, had a smooth final
round. “I had a birdie on #16 which provided nice momentum and put pressure on Hunter. I also
had a good shot on #17,” the Loyola Marymount junior said, adding, “The approach shot from 230
yards assured me that I could keep my emotions in check in pressure situations.” Once again, his
dad caddied for him. “He advised that I just play against the course and stick to the game plan.”
The field of 84 players played under clear skies and no wind.
With this win, Ostrom joins such celebrated past Southwestern Amateur champions as
Mark O’Meara (1980), Corey Pavin (1981), Tom Pernice, Jr. (1982), and current PGA Tour stars
Ryan Palmer (1999), Nick Watney (2002), Kevin Dougherty (2012), J.T. Poston (2013) and Kyle
Jones (2014).
Now in its 104th year, the Southwestern Amateur has been played at a variety of sites
throughout Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada and New Mexico.
For the first time in its history, the event will expand to include women and mixed team
play starting in 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. Mixed team play will
consist of one man and one woman per team for a total of 72 teams. “We think the team concept
will be well-received by top-ranked amateur players worldwide,” said Phil Mahoney, SWGA
president.
Related: Southwestern Am to make a revolutionary format change in 2020
Since its founding in 1915 as a regional match play invitational tournament for private golf
course members to compete against the nation’s best amateur players, the Southwestern Amateur
has developed a stellar reputation as a high-quality competition for the nation’s top players. For
the past six years, the Southwestern Amateur has been played at the Desert Mountain Club in
Scottsdale on one of Desert Mountain’s six Jack Nicklaus-designed signature golf courses.
ABOUT THE
Southwestern Amateur
72-hole stroke play championship for national-level
amateurs with a handicap index of
1.4 or better. After 36 holes, the field will be
cut to the low 36 and ties. The
SWGA Selection Committee will select players
to
compete based upon
exemptions, playing resume and rankings.
The SWGA reserves the right to invite
amateurs of national and international
reputation, as well as other amateurs "of
note", to enter into the tournament.
Applicants are urged to submit their entries
with golf resumes of accomplishment in
major tournaments and other competitive
record
information.
View Complete Tournament Information