TUCSON, Ariz.- Since 1981, the Arizona Intercollegiate has been a flagship collegiate golf event, driving teams from all over the country to the Sonoran Desert. Now in its 38^th year, the AZ Intercollegiate is still growing and its past is one to look back on.
 
The 1981 Intercollegiate was the first edition of the Arizona Intercollegiate, played at Randolph Park Golf Course, where the Arizona State Sun Devils took home a title and Dan Koesters won the individual championship.
 
Throughout the 38 years of its history, the Intercollegiate has been played at nine separate courses. Arizona National GC held the tournament 10 times, from 2003-2012, the most a golf course has hosted the tournament. Most recently, Sewailo GC has become home to the tournament and home of both Wildcat golf programs since 2014.
 
The Intercollegiate has had many teams take home the trophy but Arizona holds the record for the most team championships, winning its most recent title in 2018, making that the 7^th time they have won the home event. Legendary coach Rick Larose led the team to six of those titles, and Coach Jim Anderson won his first tournament as head coach of the Wildcats last season, breaking a 6-year dry spell for the Cats.
 
Some of the world's best golfers come to Tucson to take part in Arizona Golf's flagship event. The roster of PGA TOUR participants in the Arizona Intercollegiate, including 11 Major title winners, includes names synonymous with the game of golf, such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, John Daly, and Arizona great, Jim Furyk.
 
Notah Begay III, who played in the Arizona Intercollegiate during his time at Stanford from 1991-1995, is one of the architects of the current host course of the tournament, Sewailo Golf Club. True to his Native American heritage, Sewailo translates to "Land Where Flowers Grow" in Pascua Yaqui language, belonging to the tribe that owns the land. The course blends into the Sonoran Desert landscape unique to Tucson and southern Arizona and measures over 7,400 yards from the championship tees. Begay's legacy in golf is intertwined with the growing history of the Intercollegiate.
 
Chris Nallen, current assistant coach and Arizona alumni ('04), is one of the most prolific golfers in the history of Arizona men's golf. Nallen won the tournament in 2004 and still holds the record for the lowest individual total score at 195, shooting 18-under. Arizona also leads the pack in Arizona Intercollegiate wins, with 7 team titles, and 8 individual championships.
 
With this years tournament nearing, the Cats are looking to retain the trophy after last years Arizona Intercollegiate win. Arizona will be hosting 16 teams, including BYU (9), Arizona State (11), and Texas A&M (18). This year's installment of the tournament will begin this upcoming Monday at Sewailo GC on Monday, January 28^th with an 8 a.m. shot gun start.