After more than 12 weeks of hard-fought competition contested on 35 courses, spanning 16 states and drawing more than 1,200 amateur golfers, the 2015 Troon Challenge recently culminated with an exciting National Finals Event held at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ. The Troon Challenge is a series of amateur golf tournaments hosting two-person, modified best-ball (shamble) competitions at world-class Troon® facilities across the United States. Beginning in April, two-player teams competed in local qualifying events with a record field of 54 teams eventually vying for the championship at Troon North, August 22-23, 2015.

In the gross division of the Troon Challenge National Finals, the team of Steve Blackford and Joseph Fox, who qualified for the finals at Poston Butte Golf Club in Florence, AZ., got off to a great start by shooting 63 on the Pinnacle course. The eight-under par round was good enough for a one-stroke lead with a total of six other teams within three shots of the lead. Teams arrived for round two on Sunday knowing that to win they would need to post a great number on the Monument course. Many teams posted rounds in the 60s, but it was not enough to catch Blackford & Fox. Their second round score of 64 separated them from the field by three strokes, and they were crowned the 2015 Troon Challenge National Champions of the gross division. This was their second time hoisting the trophy, with a win back in 2009.

In the net division of the Troon Challenge National Finals, the team of Barbara Rund and Sean Rund, who qualified at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, CA., shot a spectacular 59 in round one, giving them a one stroke lead over David Green and Kyle Tallman, who qualified at Yocha Dehe Golf Club in Brooks, CA. Sunday proved to be no different as both teams battled until the end. Both posting 61 on the Pinnacle course, Team Rund held on for a one-stroke victory over Green and Tallman. Their two-day total of 120 tied the lowest score ever recorded in the Troon Challenge National Finals.

The 2015 Troon Challenge is presented by Callaway Golf, along with supporting partners that include Imperial Headwear (featured as the events official headwear sponsor), TRUE linkswear, Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, THINQ Golf, MobiCoach, Pepsi, American Hole ‘n One, Infiniti of Scottsdale, EXOS and Zacapa Rum.

For more information on the 2015 Troon Challenge presented by Callaway Golf, visit www.TroonChallenge.com or search #TroonChallenge15.

2015 Troon Challenge National Finals Results

Gross Division

1st – Steve Blackford & Joseph Fox, Poston Butte Golf Club: 63-64 = 127

*2nd – Erin O’Hara & Marty McDonald, Centennial Golf Club: 65-65 = 130

*3rd – Zack Sims & Stephen Santora, Diablo Grande Golf & Country Club: 65-65 = 130

Net Division

1st – Barbara Rund & Sean Rund, The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa: 59-61 = 120

2nd – David Green & Kyle Tallman, Yocha Dehe Golf Club: 60-61 = 121

3rd – Rich Estep & Jason Walker, Yocha Dehe Golf Club: 65-61 = 126

Sponsor Division (Net Scoring)

1st – David Shaffer & Tim Geesey, Imperial Headwear: 68-62 = 130

2nd – Derek Travers & Rich Calderon, Callaway: 65-68 = 133

*3rd – Casey Strunk & Lee Gault, Imperial Headwear: 65-69 = 134

*- Scorecard playoff