The 2015 Bird Golf Invitational
A full field of 52 players participated in what would be a closely contested finish in the 15th edition of the Invitational. Played as always at our flagship site, Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa, the course conditions at Whirlwind were extra ordinary. If you are planning to visit Phoenix over the next few months, we encourage you to experience Cattail and Devil’s Claw.
The opening night cocktail party and the dinner that followed were a great success thanks to the efforts of F & B Director Tim Flannigan and Chef John Farley.
Friday’s opening round Scramble was played on Cattail and several groups played extremely well but in the end, one group had separated themselves from the field. Playing with professional Troy Weise, the team of Mike and Tracy Carlile and Cavell Simmonds shot a net 49.7 (is the second lowest score in 15 years of this format.) Second place was determined by a minute fraction by the team of George and Jackie Yost and Lucy Boguski with their professional Craig Waryan with a score of 53.05. They edged out the team of Les and Michele Stewart and Belinda Keever who came in third with a score of 53.4.

Day 1 Runners-Up (L-R: Jackie Yost, Professional Craig Waryan, Lucy Boguski, and George Yost)

They didn’t win today but they always have fun! (L-R: Jerry Dominick, Professional Jim Samsing, Barb and Don Raymond)
One of the most special things about The Invitational is that people form friendships here that will last their lifetime. An example of those friendships are Pauline Lockard and Lucy Boguski who met at this year’s Invitational. We have 3 teams that all met here as individuals and now play together every year. One of those teams is the trio of Stephanie Lary, David Schwan and Mike Gelinas who manage to match wearing outfits pictured below. If you are going to dress like this, you better bring your game and as you can see they were all in great form.

One of two All Ladies teams. (L-R: Professional Sandra Palmer, Jennifer Depp, Martha Burmaster, and Michelle Fisher)

The leader board after Round 1
After the first two rounds the Cooley, Donofrio and Harris team were in first place but there were 8 other teams within a dozen shots of the lead so it was anybody’s race to win.

(L-R Duane Barnett, Professional Marty Hoeffken, Terrie & Tim Harper)

(L-R: Kent Holden, Joe Fidler, Lourdes Enamorado and Professional Tim Peightal)
The winner of the professional division was Troy Weise who played superbly all 3 days and recorded a score of 312.7.
The closing dinner at Wild Horse was another sumptuous presentation from the world renowned Chefs at the resort and was an evening filled with comradery and laughter.

Closing Dinner

The Bird Golf Academy Professionals

7th Place: Professionals Jim Samsing and Troy Weise, the team of Shannon Venance and Joe Bannon and Professional Pam Wright (not pictured Steve Perkins)

6th Place: Professionals Jim Samsing and Pam Wright, the team of Michele and Les Stewart, Belinda Keever, and Professional Shirley Furlong

Professionals Jim Terry and Amy Benz, the team of Paul Pendleton, Michelle Smith and Perry Sprague and Professional Heath Morden

4th Place: The team of Cavell Simmonds, Tracy and Mike Carlile with Professionals Heath Morden, Mary Mills and Troy Weise

3rd Place: Professionals Craig Waryan and Justin Lake, the team of David Schwan, Mike Gelinas and Stephanie Lary, and Professional Mary Mills

Runners-Up: Professional Tim Peightal, Larry Kirk, Professional Jim Terry, with Al and Jon McMahon and Professional Pam Wright

Champions: Professional Troy Weise, the winners: Jan Harris, Jill Cooley and Karen Donofrio with Professionals Sandra Palmer and Heath Morden
We salute and thank all of our wonderful students who make this all possible and for making our 15th celebration of golf such a great success.
Our next Invitational will be January 12-16, 2017 at Wild Horse Pass Resort and we hope you will join us for four fantastic days!