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

Monday, March 17, 2020 turned out to be a gorgeous Arizona day for the annual Cactus Classic Golf Tournament. The shotgun tournament was played on the Renegade Course.

The Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge qualifier was set up on the practice tee outside the Renegade Hideout. All 88 players and 22 club pros competing in the Cactus Classic participated in the Putting Challenge qualifier and raffle (won by Missy Dingman!). As each group advanced from the 18th green to the #1 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 qualified for the Putting Championship – and the top 4 scores from the Professionals playing with each group qualified for the Pro Putting Championship. New this year, there were an additional 8 qualifiers who made their attempts at the Performance Center during the two weeks prior to the Cactus Classic.

The putting competition took place on the practice green outside the Hideout during the post tournament reception. The format was a headto-head single putt elimination tournament for both the players and the Club Professionals. The competitor with the closest putt to the hole advanced to the next round. The players competition began with a first-round putt of ~20-feet; the second-round putt was ~25-feet and the quarter-final putt set up just outside of 30-feet. Mr. Kettlewell and Mr. Harrington both advanced their way through their brackets to the final putt for the Championship set at ~35-feet.

Both players made excellent putts, with Mr. Harrington’s putt coming to rest less than an inch closer than Mr. Kettlewell’s putt, to win the title of 2020 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge Champion!

The four club professionals then began their competition, and in the championship round for the pros, Peter Swanson just edged out Matt Denesha for the win and title of 2020 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge Champion of the Pro Division. Peter and Matt received a $300 gift card and $200 gift card, respectively, for dinner at Ocean’s 44 in Scottsdale.

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

Mr. Harrington also earned an attempt at the 50-foot putt to win a 4-day all-expense paid, luxury private jet trip for Eight (8) to Bandon Dunes – including all golf, lodging and food & beverage – valued at over $50,000!

With a spirited crowd cheering him on, Mr. Harrington lined up and put a good stroke on the 50-footer. The putt had perfect speed and began tracking toward the hole, the crowd noise grew as the ball approached the cup and erupted in a loud “OHHHHH!” as the ball came within a ½ inch of going in, then coming to rest just past the cup. It was an excellent attempt to win the grand prize!

A hearty congratulations to the 2020 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Champion, Mr. Bob Harrington!

The 2020 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge raised and donated $5,215 to the DMF scholarship fund.