Haley Moore was the money leader on the Cactus Tour last year with $13,775. She’s listed at 14/1 odds in Vegas for the Moon Valley Tournament, which kicks off this afternoon. Fellow LPGA players Anna Nordqvist and Amy Olson are 11/2. Nordqvist opened with a 64 on the same course at a men’s mini tour event earlier this month.
With golf tours around the world canceling tournaments at warp speed due to the coronavirus, Mike Brown is committed to carrying on in the desert.
“The only time that we will have more than 10 people together,” said Brown, “and maybe not even then as some will have gone home, is when I write checks at the end of the deal.”
Brown, 66, has owned the Cactus Tour for past decade and has nine events on his schedule between now and May 8. Not a single course has called, he said, to cancel. They have called to make sure he’s still coming.
“I’ve got parents that are calling me wanting to get their kids over here,” said Brown. “They don’t seem to be overly concerned otherwise. These girls are independent contractors. I don’t call any of them. They called me to see if they can play. It’s just that simple.”
The field for this week’s event in Phoenix is down to 29 players after a handful bowed out. Amy Olson was on her way to play tennis with her husband before this afternoon’s round. She welcomes the opportunity to test out some new equipment.
“To me, the golf course seems like about the safest place to be,” said Olson. “You’re outside. Even if you’re in a threesome you’re not close to each other. From everything we’ve heard, there are no spectators at these events. It’s kind of like getting together with your friends and playing a money game.”
The winner of this week’s event will receive $2,000. Brown, whose daughter Sara played professionally and then worked for Golf Channel as a co-host of “School of Golf,” is paying for the first-tee snacks this week out of his own pocket. The purse is $9,800.
“I have the best starter table in the country,” said Brown, “cookies, crackers, candy, Slim Jims, Clif bars, Luna bars, hair ties, bug spray, sunscreen and sharpies.”
Last year Brown had just over 200 people play his tour throughout the year. The biggest field he’s ever had was 92. He’s carried on with as little as five.
Moore, an Arizona grad, is grateful for the chance to compete in these smaller fields, particularly after the West Coast events that are close to her home were postponed. She’ll play in as many Cactus Events as she can before the LPGA resumes play.
“It’s good just to play,” said Moore, “to stay competitive just because we don’t know when we are going to be out there again.
Meanwhile on the other side of the country, the Eggland’s Best mini tour is carrying on at Timacuan Golf Club in Lake Mary, Florida. They’re currently into the second round. Twenty-six players in the field. Jessica Welch leads the field at 4 under. Holly Clyburn (3 under) and Sierra Brooks (2 under) are the only other players currently under par.
There are nine more events listed on Eggland’s schedule through June.
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