DESERT FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP, ADDS NAMING RIGHTS FOR NEW DESERT FINANCIAL OPEN
Tournament Director Ryan Pray announced today long-time tournament supporter Desert Financial Credit Union has extended its partnership and will continue to serve as title sponsor for the newly-named Desert Financial Open (formerly Scottsdale AZ Open), which will feature a top-notch field teeing it up it up May 17-20 at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale.
Entering its fifth year and Presented by United Rentals, the Desert Financial Open will feature a 54-hole tournament with a field of 156 players, with a cut to the low 50 players and ties after 36 holes. This year’s tournament has a minimum guaranteed purse of $125,000 – with $20,000 going to the winner.
“Desert Financial Credit Union is the reason this tournament has grown so quickly in just four years,” Pray said. “They are a great partner to have and we are thrilled to extend this great partnership and offer full naming rights for the Desert Financial Open.”
But hosting an elite golf tournament is not the only goal. Along with hosting some of the best up-and-coming golfers to the desert, the Desert Financial Open, along with the Desert Financial Foundation, aims to make an impact in the community by donating much-needed funds to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital 1 Darn Cool School Program, an initiative that allows PCH patients the chance to continue their education while in treatment. In four years, the tournament has raised $22,500 for the 1 Darn Cool School Program.
“We couldn’t be more excited to continue as the Title Sponsor of the newly branded Desert Financial Open” stated Ron Amstutz, Executive Vice President at Desert Financial. “The opportunity to support golf in our community while raising funds for the One Darn Cool School is a perfect combination.”
Limited playing spots are still available and online registration is currently open, with entry fees starting at $895, which will include three tournament rounds, one practice round, a daily meal voucher and player tee gift. For more information or to register visit www.DesertFinancialOpen.com.
In just four years the Desert Financial Open Presented by United Rentals is making a name for itself as one of the premier professional golf tournaments in the State of Arizona. Last year’s field featured a handful of PGA TOUR professionals looking for a competitive environment to play in against top professionals from throughout the country prior to the PGA TOUR starting it’s season back up in June of 2020. Zach Smith took home the trophy in 2020 thanks to a final round 10-under 62 to earn his first ever professional victory. Other past champions include Brady Calkins (2019), Eric Ash (2018) and Joel Dahmen (2017).
The Desert Financial Open Presented by United Rentals was created to provide a first-class competitive golf tournament for touring professionals, while also raising money to support Arizona Charities. The tournament will begin with a Pro-Am on Monday, May 17, followed by the three-day, 54-hole tournament, which will crown a champion on Thursday, May 20. For more information visit the tournament website at www.DesertFinancialOpen.com.
###
ABOUT DESERT FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION
Celebrating more than 80 years in Arizona, Desert Financial is the state’s largest local credit union with $6 billion in assets, 350,000+ members and 47 branches. Membership eligibility is open across Arizona with contactless solutions via eBranch, making it easy to call, click or come in. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2020, members received $14 million in dividends via the Member Giveback Bonus, and Desert Financial gave more than $5 million in COVID-19 relief plus donations, scholarships and Random Acts of Kindness to our members, community and team. Learn more about the credit union difference at Desert Financial Credit Union (www.DesertFinancialOpen.com) and find news and information @desertfinancial on Twitter.
ABOUT DESERT FINANCIAL FOUNDATION Desert Financial Foundation is the sole sponsor of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital 1 Darn Cool School Program, which allows patients to continue their education while in treatment. The accredited teaching staff works with more than 10,000 patients each year to help keep children academically on track and alleviate any anxiety about falling behind. 1 Darn Cool School provides year-round individual instruction for all students grades K-12 and even offers various art classes on Fridays known as “Fine Arts Fridays”.
Should patients not be able to leave their beds, teachers are able to visit patient rooms to provide academic assistance. Additionally, the teachers facilitate each patient's transition back to their regular learning environment once they are ready to leave the hospital.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital has the distinction of being one of only a handful of hospitals in the country that provides schooling for patients.
###
Media Contact:
Ryan Woodcock
Woody@cruzwood.com
