There aren’t many trophies being handed out these days. Even fewer paychecks. Sarah Burnham managed to snag both at this week’s Cactus Tour event, closing with an even-par 72 on Friday at Sundance Golf Club in Buckeye, Arizona, to win by four at 4-over 220.
A trio of players, including two amateurs, finished second at 224. Burnham, a former Michigan State standout in her second year on the LPGA, moved from Minnesota to Phoenix over the winter and happens to live in the neighborhood of the only women’s tour competing in the country due to a global pandemic.
“I’m lucky I’m able to play,” said Burnham.
There were 16 players in the field this week. Burnham, playing in her second Cactus Tour start, took home a $2,800 paycheck. She had boyfriend Jackson Renicker on the bag for the first time. Burnham played in one event on the LPGA season and missed the cut.
Players went out in twos to keep in line with social distancing practices. Rakes were removed from the bunkers.
Burnham likes to pull the flagstick during competition, but under the new coronavirus precautions, had to adjust to leaving them in. Pool noodles were cut down and placed inside the cup. The sound of the ball hitting the noodle wasn’t nearly as satisfying, she said, but a necessary safeguard.
“One of the girls I played with today, she swore her ball was in the hole but the noodle (kept) it out,” she said.
Given all that’s going on in the world right now though, who can complain?
And in an even more unusual twist, players were given a 15th club this week to use out of the exceptionally rocky desert so that their own clubs weren’t damaged. Burnham didn’t end up using the extra club but appreciated the gesture.
“I don’t know if I’ll play next week,” she said. “I think I’ll just take the week off from competition, see what happens with the tour. I think Arizona might be considering a lock down.”
Mike Brown, a tell-it-like-it-is kind of guy who’s determined to give players an opportunity to compete, has owned the Cactus Tour for the past decade. He plans to keep hosting events as long as golf courses are open.
In an effort to keep things light, Brown also presented Burnham with a roll of toilet tissue as part of her winnings.
A true sign of the times.
