Ben Warian takes Saguaro Amateur at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Ben Warian
With temperatures peaking in the high 60s at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club just outside of Phoenix, Minnesota natives
Ben Warian and
Nate Stevens must have felt like they were playing in a heat wave all week at the Saguaro Amateur.
Just for fun, Warian, a junior at the University of Minnesota, decided to crank up the heat a little higher on Sunday, as he birdied all three playoff holes to claim the title over his fellow Minnesotan.
Warian and Stevens, a freshman at Notre Dame who hails from Northfield, Minn., tied at 10-under for the 54-hole event. After the players matched birdies on the first two playoff holes, Warian rolled in his third consecutive birdie put to cement the biggest win of his amateur career.
“Patience was the key today and all week," said Warian, who is from Stillwater, Minn. "I played very solid golf the first day, and definitely faced some adversity these last couple days. I just kept telling myself to stay patient and keep giving myself opportunities. Today, I was able to make some putts at crucial moments which allowed me to come away with the W, which feels amazing.
"This wins means the world to me. It’s been a long-time coming and countless hours of hard work and grinding over the past few years have finally paid off. I can’t wait to bring this trophy home to the Minnesota Gopher Golf family and enjoy this with them. A very special week!”
Warian and Stevens were the beneficiaries of
Nate Cogswell's misfortunes on the final hole. The University of Seattle golfer took a one-stroke lead to the last but a wayward drive led to a double bogey, ending Cogswell's title hopes.
• • • • •
Riley Bell, who finished eighth, claimed 2022-23 Troon Saguaro Amateur Series Player of the Year honors. The Sacramento State player outdistanced
Gabe Salvanera of Arizona State by 39.5 points in the points race. Bell had three eighth-place finishes (Saguaro, Sizzler, and Grapevine Ams) and to go along with a third-place finish (Agave Am) this season.
ABOUT THE
Saguaro Amateur
54-hole event with field comprised of 108
men’s amateur golfers from all over the United
States. Most players are college golfers on winter
break. All players must have completed high school
by January 1 and must have a handicap of 3.0 or
lower. The host club, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, has
hosted the Arizona Amateur three times as well as
U.S.
Open and PGA Tour qualifying.
View Complete Tournament Information