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 10th Annual Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge fundraising event with all proceeds donated to the DMF Scholarship Fund and Golf Staff Education Fund. 

The Cactus Classic and Putting Challenge was held on Monday, February 19, 2024 on the Outlaw Course. 

The Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge qualifier was set up on the practice green next to the starter’s shed before Hole #1. All 144 players in the tournament and 18 club pros competing in the Cactus Classic took part in the Putting Challenge qualifier and raffle. As each group advanced from the 18th green to the No. 1 tee box, they stopped at the practice green to take their putts to qualify for the head-to-head putting competition. Each participant was allowed 10 putt attempts and received a raffle ticket for each made putt. 

The raffle winner of the $500 gift certificate to Dominick’s Steak House went to Mr. Charles Bastian! 

The top 8 scores from the day qualified for the Putting Championship bracket – and the top 4 scores from the Professionals playing with each group qualified for the Pro Putting Championship bracket. There were an additional 8 qualifiers who made their putt attempts at several prequalifying sites during the three weeks prior. 

After the last group finished their tournament round, the putting competition began on the practice green outside the Outlaw Clubhouse. The format was a head-to-head single putt elimination tournament for both the players and the Club Professionals. The competitor whose putt came to rest closest to the hole advanced to the next round. The player’s 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. Douglas Kanter and Mr. Ronald Towle advanced their way through their brackets to the final putt for the Championship set at ~35-feet. 

Mr. Towle putted first coming to rest about a foot past the hole. Mr. Kanter’s putt just missed the left lip and stopped 4.3 inches from the cup, to earn the title of 2024 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge Champion! 

The four club professionals then began their competition, and in the championship round for the pros, Sean Ferris edged out Aaron Whiteley for the win and title of 2024 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge Champion of the Pro Division. Sean and Aaron received a $500 gift card and $250 gift card, respectively, for dinner at Dominick’s Steakhouse or Ocean’s 44 in Scottsdale. 

Douglas Kanter’s championship win included a $500 book credit in the Desert Mountain Golf Shop and a beautifully inscribed silver-platted Champion’s trophy, along with adding his name to the Club Trophy in the CG Library. 

He also won 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 5 rounds of golf, 8 private rooms in the Lodge, ground transportation and all food & beverage – valued at over $50,000! 

Mr. Kanter took two practice swings and put a solid, confident stroke on the 50-footer. The putt tracked a bit right to left on line toward the hole, the crowd began to cheer as the ball approached the cup and let out a loud, ‘OOOHHH!” as it went about an inch past the right side of the hole and stopped a few feet past. It was an outstanding attempt at the grand prize! 

Our enthusiastic congratulations to the 2024 Pinnacle Aviation Putting Champion – Mr. Douglas Kanter! 

Desert Mountain Foundation member, Nancy Besemer, recruited and coordinated the energetic group of volunteers who facilitated the logistics of the Putting Challenge. We are ever grateful for Nancy and the incredible support from the Desert Mountain community. 

And lastly, kudos to Peter Swanson, Head Professional at Outlaw, and his outstanding staff for their dedication and assistance in creating another excellent event. 

The Pinnacle Aviation Putting Challenge has contributed over $50,000 to the DMF scholarship fund.