Smash in the Sun Golf competition returns to the Ak-Chin Indian Community

Golf Lovers: It’s time once again for Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun, April 12–16! Don’t miss the chance to see top golfers vie to hit the longest shot!

The Ak-Chin Indian Community is partnering with the World Long Drive Association (WLD) to host this event for the second consecutive year. It all happens at Ak-Chin Circle Field in Maricopa, adjacent to the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center, on a natural grass golf range featuring stadium seating.

Photo courtesy of The Ak-Chin O’odham Runner newspaper

Each WLD contestant pays $40 for eight swings to showcase his or her ability in the preliminary rounds. This year’s competition will feature 54 men in the Open Division based on World Long Drive rankings along with a Women’s Division field of 16 competitors. Held April 12–13, preliminary rounds will narrow the field to eight men and four women for the final contest.

The final portion of the competition on Tuesday, April 16 will be televised live on Golf Channel. This includes the Open Men’s and Women’s Division finals as they crown their respective champions.

At the 2018 Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun, Phillis Meti of Auckland, New Zealand won the women’s competition, and Will Hogue of Memphis, Tennessee, earned the men’s division title. Meti scored a 380-yard hit to outplay the then-reigning women’s champion, Sandra Carlborg of Sweden. And, Hogue’s 421-yard drive on his second ball scored his second title in three weeks after winning the Clash in the Canyon in Nevada earlier the same month.

Other Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun fun includes the Masters Division, with players age 45 and older competing on Saturday after open qualifying. Canadian Jeff Gavin claimed the Masters title at last year’s event.

If you’re a golf fan, or if you want to get out to enjoy great weather and beautiful surroundings, head on over to the Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun events happening on April 12–16! For more detailed information, visit the website at www.ak-chin.nsn.us and click on the Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun logo under Upcoming Events.

Last Updated on 04/10/2019 by Carolyn Sostrom

About the Author:

Carolyn Sostrom

Biography:

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle.

She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*.

With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower.

She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.

Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.

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