Laramie, Wyo. (Jan. 4, 2023) -- The New Year began with a bang for Wyoming Cowboy junior Jimmy Dales as he finished second at the Sonoran Amateur in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday, shooting a 54-hole total of 210 (-3).  Dales finished second in a field of 107 of the nation's top amateur golfers.
 
Dales, from Northville, Mich., shot rounds of 71 (Even), 68 (-3) and 71 (Even) in the three-round amateur event to finish at 210 (-3), only one shot behind tournament champion Pierce Johnson of Dallas, Texas.  Dales was one of only eight players who finished under par for the tournament and was one of only 10 individuals who shot even par or better for the 54-hole event.  He tied with William Ma of San Diego, Calif., and Leo Cheng of Porter Ranch, Calif., for second place.
 
"I always try to get in some tournaments in Florida in between the fall and spring seasons and then fly out to Arizona to play a couple to start off the new year," said Dales.  "I'm just a guy who likes to play a lot of golf tournaments.  It was kind of a tough fall for me, and I think I just needed a few weeks away from the game.  To have a positive tournament to start the year feels really good.
 
"It means a lot to me to have this strong finish.  It is really rewarding.  I have one more tournament here in Arizona at Southern Dunes starting on Friday.  I'm definitely feeling a lot better about my game than I was in the fall, and hope I can continue to build momentum heading into the spring.  I'm really looking forward to the spring season."
 
When Wyoming's 2023 spring collegiate season begins on Feb. 10-11 with the Wyoming World Team Match Play event in Palm Desert, Calif., Dales will carry seven collegiate Top 25 career tournament finishes with him into the spring season.  He also was the Cowboys' top finisher at the 2022 Mountain West Conference Championship, placing seventh at the conference championship.
 
The Sonoran Amateur was played on Jan. 2-4 on the Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz., which measured 7,050 yards and played to a par of 71.
 
Dales next tournament will be the Saguaro Amateur that will be played at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz., on Jan. 6-8    
 
Final Individual Results From the 2023 Sonoran Amateur
1.   Pierce Johnson, Dallas, Texas                 73-68-68=209 (-4)
2.   Jimmy Dales, Northville, Mich.              71-68-71=210 (-3)
      William Ma, San Diego, Calif.                   72-69-69=210 (-3)
      Leo Cheng, Porter Ranch, Calif.               69-68-73=210 (-3)
5.   Terrin Anderson, Montgomery, Texas        73-71-67=211 (-2)     
      Carson Herron, Deephaven, Minn.           74-69-68=211 (-2)
7.   Brock Goyen, Gilbert, Ariz.                        71-70-71=212 (-1)
      Trey Bosco, Lake Travis, Texas                 68-69-75=212 (-1)
9.   Luke M. Armbrust, Wheaton, Ill.                72-67-74=213 (Even)
      Yianni Kostouros, Crown Point, Ind.          71-71-71=213 (Even)