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First held in 1974, the Matches were originally called the McDonald’s Matches and were held at Arroyo del Oso G.C. The first winner was Herb Wimberly of Las Cruces. Chet Caldwell, owner of the McDonald’s stores in Albuquerque and surrounding areas started the McDonald’s Matches and continued to sponsor them until 1994. Arroyo del Oso was the host course for twenty-one years. The Senior division was created in 1992 and the first winner was Joe McDermott of albuquerque. Mike Putnam of Las Campanas has won seven Match Play Championships. McDermott has won the most Senior Match Play Championships with four.
The 2009 Match Play Championship returned to the site that hosted the event for 21 years. Bill Harvey of Arroyo del Oso GC in Albuquerque, NM won the main bracket 1 up over Bob May of Las Campanas in Santa Fe, NM. May holed consecutive birdies on 15, 16 and 17 to force action to the 18th hole, but left his bid at a birdie inches short, securing the win for Harvey. In the Senior Bracket, Carlton Blewett of Spring River GC in Roswell, NM defeated reigning champion Mark Pelletier of El Paso CC in El Paso, TX. Carlton shot -7 under on the par 5’s alone and closed out Pelletier with a birdie on the 17th hole to win 2 and 1 and claim the Senior Match Play Championship.
The Chet Caldwell Memorial Trophy you see here is the trophy for the Match Play Championship. Los Altos hosted these Championships From 1998 - 2008. In 1998, Rich Beem, 2002 PGA Champion, won the title.
In 2007, the Match Play Championship became “The Nike Matches” as Nike Golf took over title sponsorship of the event.
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