AGA NEWS & SCORES:

Arizona Public Links Championship
to be held at Aguila, March 24-25

PHOENIX (March 21, 2001) - Three former champions headline the 36-hole Arizona Public Links Championship at the Gary Panks-designed Aguila Golf Course in Laveen March 24 and 25. The tournament, the Arizona Golf Association's first major of the year, has attracted a top field. The winner receives an invitation to play in the 35th Pacific Coast Amateur at Forest Highlands Golf Club in Flagstaff this summer and also the USGA State Team Championship Sept. 23-25 at Hazeltine National GC in Minnesota.

Mesa's Ed Smith won the inaugural Arizona Public Links in 1987 (and again in 1993, 1995 and 1996). He'll be joined at Aguila by Steve Dallas of Gilbert, the 1999 champion, and ASU's Kurt Mayr, (pictured) the defending champion.

Two years ago Dallas needed a 50-foot birdie putt on the 18th green at Tucson's Randolph North Municipal Golf Course to beat Allen French. Last year Mayr earned a one-stroke victory over ASU teammate Jin Park at Apache Stronghold Golf Club on the San Carlos Indian Reservation near Globe.

Mayr, a 21-year-old sophomore from Villach, Austria, was in contention until the final round at the 27th Arizona Stroke Play championship last December before Chad Hossack of Mesa pulled away from the field. Hossack and Stroke Play runner-up Michael Spiher, the AGA Performance Points leader in 2000, are favorites at Aguila. Other top names include Mark Johnson>, Dan Meyers, ASU's Brian Nosler, Jack Burke, the 2000 Arizona Mid-Amateur champion and Ken Kellaney, the AGA's five-time player of the year.

Panks says variety is one of Aguila's strong suits.

"With holes such as the drivable par 4 eighth, No. 5, a reachable par 5 and the short par 3 13th, to a long, demanding par 4 finishing hole, Aguila offers an interesting challenge," says the Scottsdale-based golf course architect.

"The par 3s are of varying lengths and orientation, requiring use of short, medium and long irons, while the par fives present several risk/reward opportunities," Panks says of Aguila, his 25th golf course design in Arizona.

The property where Aguila was built, in an agricultural area on Dobbins Road and 35th Ave. south of Cesar Chavez Park, has a view of the South Mountain Preserve and the downtown skyline.

Panks says Aguila's golf holes have more variety than the other municipals and its transition areas contain wild flowers and native grasses, a first for a city course. In addition, the lack of real estate is a huge positive. "Any time you build a golf course without the home site component, where there is pure golf, it's exciting," says Panks, a member at Arizona Country Club in Phoenix and the Golf Club at Chaparral Pines in Payson.

Aguila has desert variety trees, with mesquite, desert willows, jacarandas and paloverdes along the fairways. The property, initially very flat, now has pronounced elevation change. "Everything is in front of you from the tee and very well-designed," says Jerry Zidow, the superintendent who transferred from Papago. Zidow predicts Aguila will eventually be one of the best municipals in the country.

1987------Ed Smith
1988------Paul Smith
1989-------Jim Lemon
1990-------Terry Beels
1991-------Mark Davis
1992-------Pat Ward
1993-------Ed Smith
1994-------John Ferenchak
1995-------Ed Smith
1996-------Ed Smith
1997-------Jeff Kern
1998-------Jeff Kern
1999-------Steve Dallas
2000-------Kurt Mayr

Facts and Figures

History/Name: Aguila Golf Course is the former site of the Alvord family farm. Its name is Spanish for "Eagle." The Aguila logo adopts an ancient Aztec design of an eagle.

Hours of Operation: Aguila Golf Course is operated one half-hour before dawn until one half-hour after dusk.

Putting Greens: Large putting green near clubhouse Nine-hole putting green near No.1 teeing ground.

Chipping Area: Large green with adjoining practice bunker.

Golf Shop: The Aguila Golf Shop, staffed by the head golf professional Diane Escobedo, is a full-service facility, featuring apparel, shoes, clubs, bags, golf accessories and amenities for men, women and junior golfers.

Golf Lessons: Golf lessons, taught by PGA and LPGA members, are provided to individuals and groups. Clinics and video lessons are also available. Lessons are scheduled individually by the instructor.

Golf Clinics: Clinics for beginners, intermediate and advanced golfers are scheduled throughout the year. Free junior clinics are offered in the summer and fall. For scheduling and rates call (602) 237-9601.

Youth Learning Center: The Aguila Youth Learning Center is a 1,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility that is equipped with teaching aides: video, audio visual, library and computers. At the Aguila Learning Center kids are taught the basics of golf for free. Other classes featured are strategies to improve the game, etiquette, course management and career development.

Eagle's Nest Cafe: The restaurant features a grill menu for breakfast and lunch, and offers beer and wine. Open sunrise to sunset. The Eagle's Nest Cafe features indoor seating for 50, with outdoor tent facilities that accommodate 144 people.

Funding: Aguila Golf Course, like all City of Phoenix municipal golf courses, is operated only through player fees.