- Desert Amateur photo

The latest addition to the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series was held at the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying site for 2017 and 2018. The weather was cold each morning in the low 40s but warmed up into the mid 70s daily.

Chirravuri, a local resident on his way to USC, prevailed in a wild finish by one shot over five other players who all finished tied for second. Chirravuri wound up 10 under with a 206 total after rounds of 70-69-67. Cameron Kaiser (Scottsdale, AZ), Colt Sherrell (Maple Valley, WA), Tommaso Zorzetto (Italy), Joseph Zambri (Camarillo, CA), and Raymond Navis (La Quinta, CA) all finished a shot back at 9-under totals of 207.

All of the leaders came from the final two groups. Chirravuri, playing in the second to last group, parred the reachable par-5 17th hole but then rolled in his birdie on 18 to break the logjam. Kaiser birdied 17 only to bogey the final hole. Sherrell finished birdie-birdie, while Zorzetto finished eagle-birdie. Navis and Zambri, playing in the final group, both parred 17 and then birdied 18.

"It is such an honor winning this event," said Chirravuri. "This tournament had a great field and it shows that I can compete at the next level. I put together three really good rounds and was fortunate enough to pull through at the end and come out on top."

The field consisted of 109 players, mostly collegiate golfers. Next up in the Troon Saguaro Series is the Agave Amateur, played Dec 19-21 at Shadow Hills Golf Club in Indio, Calif.

Thanks to Raymond Navis for information contained in this report.