It’ll be a nice belated Christmas treat for someone, but it won’t be gift. This $10,000 first-place prize will have to be earned during a pressure packed, 18-hole winner-takes-all stroke-play contest in Arizona on Monday.
The Longbow Cactus Cup Championship returns to Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona, for a second year. This event offers a big payday for up-and-coming golfers on the women’s mini-tour circuit.
The field for the Dec. 27 battle features four of the top five money earners from the Cactus Tour’s 2021 season, including overall top money winner Kendra Dalton as well as Nishtha Madan, Gabriella Then and Elizabeth Wang.
As the top money winner on the circuit in 2021, Dalton pocketed $13,575 after winning three times in eight starts. So the chance to pick up $10,000 after 18 holes is a big deal. Dalton, a BYU grad who hails from North Carolina, also made 20 Symetra Tour starts , where she finished 45th in the money, earning $28,980.
“We are excited to team up with The Cactus Tour for a second time, and welcome four of the top women professional golfers in the region for a season ending exhibition,” said Bob McNichols, Longbow Golf Club General Manager.
BYU’s Kendra Dalton
“Exhibition golf matches have proven to be a huge draw on other professional tours, and the Cactus Tour is really looking forward to our own day of fun-filled championship golf at one of Arizona’s best courses for competitive golf,” said Mike Brown, Tour Director. “The Cactus Tour has awarded over $2.75 million to professional women playing in regional competition over the past ten years alone.”
The action starts at noon Monday and the winner’s check presentation immediately follows. Former Arizona Wildcat Haley Moore nabbed the top prize a year ago after winning on the first playoff hole.
“Each of the competitors owns her impressive golf resume with noteworthy wins from the junior ranks, to college and eventually the professional stage,” said McNichols. “Longbow Golf Club has become synonymous with championship golf, and I can’t wait to see these champions in action at the end of the year 2021. We are proud to continue this women’s professional golf match, the Longbow Cactus Cup Championship, in partnership with the Cactus Tour.”
Admission is free for everyone.