Waaso Wins in Wickenburg, Arizona Stroke Play Concludes

Kale Waaso added several accolades to his résumé this weekend, winning the 41st Arizona Stroke Play Championship, posting three consecutive bogey-free rounds and setting the official course record at Wickenburg Ranch.

For the 37-year-old Waaso, the tournament came down to consistency. He closed the 72-hole championship with rounds of 66-63-65-64 on the par-71 course, finishing at 26-under-par.

RESULTS | PHOTOS

“I hit it in play other than one time … and hit a ton of greens,” Waaso said. “Every day was 15, 16 or 17 greens, so that lowers the stress.”

Waaso’s second-round 63 (-8) on Friday was confirmed by Wickenburg Ranch staff as the official course record. The achievement has been commemorated with a plaque in the clubhouse.

This was Waaso’s first year competing in AZ GOLF championship events, making the victory even more meaningful.

“Now knowing what it takes to win this thing, it means a lot,” Waaso said. “I’ve never won a four-day stroke play event, especially one with a field like this, so it’s really special.”

The field featured several of Arizona’s top players, including Scott Cahill, a two-time AZ GOLF champion this year; Cody Massa, fresh off a victory at the Arizona Open; and Ben Keil, a Grand Canyon University transfer who will join the school’s golf team this school year.

Keil was the only player within striking distance of Waaso entering Sunday’s final round. He shot a 5-under-par 66 but still lost ground to Waaso, who closed with a 7-under 64 to pull away.

Players praised the condition and challenge of Wickenburg Ranch throughout the championship. The par-3 13th played as the toughest hole of the tournament, producing 66 bogeys or worse. The drivable par-4 sixth was the easiest, yielding seven eagles and 94 birdies over four rounds.

“(The course) is in such great shape,” Waaso said. “The greens were pretty soft to start the week, but they firmed up a bit as the weekend got here. Anytime you’re playing in the heat, it’s difficult, but the course held up great, the greens rolled great and it is such a pleasure to have the members let us have this place for four days.”

The Arizona Stroke Play Championship was the final men’s major championship on the AZ GOLF schedule this season. With a few more opportunities remaining to earn Men’s Player of the Year points, view the season-long standings here.