The Golfweek Amateur Tour is set to bring its 2025 Western States Cup to Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort on December 6 and 7, where the Las Cruces / El Paso Tour will arrive as the defending leader in the series. The annual event features a Ryder Cup–style format, matching the Las Cruces / El Paso Tour—currently holding a narrow edge in the overall standings—against the Arizona Tour. Each chapter is expected to bring 30 qualifying golfers to compete for the regional title.
“Turtleback Mountain Golf and Resort is a great fit for this event,” Tournament Directors Chris Rocha and Gabe Garcia said in a joint statement. “The course has enough bite to make the matches interesting, and the setting is something our players will really enjoy. We’re looking forward to bringing the Western States Cup to Sierra County and giving visiting golfers a real feel for what makes this place special.”
While the winning team earns a modest cash award to donate to its V Foundation program, the true prize is the Tour Winner’s Belt—a championship boxing-style belt that comes with a full year of bragging rights.
This year marks the eighth Western States Cup, with the Las Cruces / El Paso Tour holding a slim overall lead in the series, four wins to Arizona’s three. That sets up a high-stakes title defense in Sierra County.
“Our team takes real pride in the work happening here, and we welcome the Golfweek Amateur Tour with true enthusiasm,” said JC Wright, general manager of Turtleback Mountain Golf and Resort. “Hosting this event brings visitors to our area, supports local businesses and helps us show the progress that is shaping the future of the resort and Sierra County. We look forward to giving every player a great experience.”
Beyond competition, the Tour continues its longstanding commitment to raising funds for The V Foundation, a national nonprofit founded by ESPN and the late basketball coach Jim Valvano. In 2025, Golfweek Amateur Tour chapters raised more than thirty thousand dollars, including more than seven thousand dollars from the Arizona Tour and nearly five thousand dollars from the Las Cruces / El Paso Tour. The Western States Cup serves as the season finale for both chapters.
Format of Play
The Western States Cup follows a three-round match-play structure designed to give every player a chance to contribute points toward the team effort. Competition opens Saturday morning with a two-person scramble, followed by a two-person modified alternate-shot match in the afternoon. The event concludes Sunday morning with singles match play.
Each golfer can earn up to three points, and the team total determines the champion. This year, the race is to 30.5 points. Arizona enters as the defending champion, while Las Cruces / El Paso—still holding the overall series advantage—needs 30 points to reclaim the belt.
About the Golfweek Amateur Tour
Founded in 1995, the Golfweek Amateur Tour is the largest and longest-running amateur stroke-play tour in the United States. With more than 60 active tours nationwide, including 20 senior tours, the organization provides competitive, well-managed tournaments for amateur players of all skill levels. The Tour operates under a title-sponsorship agreement with Golfweek magazine, which enhances national recognition, visibility and brand strength across all events. The Tour also supports cancer research through fundraising that benefits The V Foundation. Learn more at https://amateurgolftour.net
About Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort
Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort is the host of the New Mexico Open and has become southern New Mexico’s premier golf and lifestyle destination, offering championship golf, distinctive residential living and exceptional lifestyle amenities. The resort holds the Distinguished Golf Destination ELITE Designation, an honor presented by BoardRoom Magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide that recognizes only a select group of courses worldwide for outstanding playing conditions, amenities and guest service. Nestled in the scenic Rio Grande Valley, the resort’s 18-hole championship course challenges players of all levels while providing sweeping desert views. The resort is expanding rapidly, with 1,300 planned home sites, a new golf practice facility and leading amenities that include pickleball courts, tennis courts, a spa, a fitness center and a tranquility garden. With a commitment to comfort, recreation and community, Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort is redefining what it means to live, play and relax in the heart of southern New Mexico.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $353 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
