Congratulations to the 2019 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge Champion – Mr. Pete Selda!

The Desert Mountain Community Foundation (DMCF) and Scottsdale based Pinnacle Aviation, in partnership with the Desert Mountain Golf Professionals and the Cactus Classic Golf Tournament, presented the Fifth Annual Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge fundraising event with all proceeds benefiting the DMCF Scholarship Fund and Golf Staff Education Fund.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019 turned out to be a pleasant Arizona day for the annual Cactus Classic Golf Tournament. The shotgun tournament was played on the Outlaw Course and began at on-time at 10:00am.

The Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge was set up on the practice tee next to the starter’s booth ahead of the first tee-box. All 75 players and 25 club pros competing in the Cactus Classic participated in the Putting Challenge. As each group advanced from the 18th green to the 1st tee-box; they stopped at the practice green to take their best of 10 putts to qualify for the head-to-head putting competition. The top 8 scores from the day made it into the Putting Championship – and the top 4 scores from the Professionals playing with each group qualified for the Pro Putting Championship.

The putting competition took place on the 18th green during the post tournament reception. The format was a head-to-head single putt elimination tournament for both the tournament players and the club professionals – with player with the closest putt to the hole advancing. The four club professionals began the competition in front of a crowd of 50+ spectators. In the championship round for the pros, Kyle McNulty rolled his putt to under 5” to edge out Rocco Mazzanti for the win and title of 2019 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge Champion of the Pro Division. Kyle and Rocco received a $300 gift card and $200 gift card, respectively, for dinner at Mastro’s Steak House.

The players competition began with a first-round putt of 25-feet; the second-round putt was approximately 30 feet and the final championship putt set up just outside of 35 feet. All of the players made excellent putts with Mr. Ray Madison and Mr. Pete Selda leaving their second-round putts exactly 2’3” from the hole, forcing them to putt a second time. In the end, Mr. Pete Selda, with his cheering section led by his wife, Gail, celebrated the win and the title of 2019 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge Champion! 

Mr. Selda’s win included a $500 credit in the Desert Mountain Golf Shop, along with a beautifully inscribed silver-platted Champion’s trophy. 

Mr. Selda also earned an attempt at the 50-foot putt to win an all-expense paid, luxury private jet trip for four (4) to Bandon Dunes valued at over $25,000!

With a spirited crowd cheering him on, Mr. Selda lined up and put a good stroke on the 50-footer. The putt started out left and never broke back toward the hole, it had plenty of distance coming to rest several feet past the cup. It was a solid attempt and an exciting showing for the encouraging spectators.

The 2019 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge raised and donated $4,410 to the DMCF scholarship fund.

The DMCF established the Scholarship Fund in 2012 to provide need-based support for eligible Desert Mountain employees, their spouses, and dependent children and grandchildren, as these individuals pursue their educational goals. The scholarship program is also open to employees of CCMC, the company that provides professional management to the Desert Mountain Homeowners Associations. Scholars are selected through an application process by a review panel that includes members of the DMCF Advisory Board, Desert Mountain members, a local education expert, and Arizona Community Foundation Scholarship Office staff members. Selection is based on financial need, essays about future plans and goals, academic achievement, demonstrated community service, and relationship to a Desert Mountain employee in good standing.

Congratulations to our 2019 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Champion, Mr. Pete Selda!

Pictured above left to right: Orin Anderson (Pinnacle Aviation); Robert Seaton (DMCF); Sharon Wong (DMCF); Nancy Woods (DMCF); Pete Selda (2019 Putting Champion); Sheila Seaton (DMCF); Kelli Caster (DMCF); Pete Redding (DMCF); Tina Ungerman (DMCF); Matt Tinti (Head Club Professional – Outlaw)