Congratulations to Michael Valdepena

Congratulations of the highest order to Tour Veteran Michael Valdepena.  Valdepena has improved dramatically the past 12 months after spending 3-4 seasons in the Snead Flight.  Valdepena has really dedicated himself to his game and has jumped all the way from the Snead Flight to the Senior Sarazen Flight. 

Please help us in recognizing Valdepena's achievement!

Rancho Santa Fe Amateur Championship Results

Santaluz Plays Difficult at Rancho Santa Fe Amateur; Playoffs Abound

Rancho Santa Fe, CA—The Golf Channel Amateur Tour held the 5th annual Rancho Santa Fe Amateur Championship on Monday, marking the 3rd year in a row the Tour has been at The Santaluz Club.  Santaluz more then held its own, with difficult native areas and speedy greens.   Four flights saw playoff action, the high number for playoff this season. 
The Championship Flight saw the 2nd 3-way playoff in a month on Tour.  Taylor Massey of Carlsbad, playing in his 1st event on Tour, was 4-under par after eleven holes but had some difficulty getting into the clubhouse.  Massey made a few bogeys coming in, finishing at 2-over par 74 to join Tom Isaak of San Diego and Scott Stevens of Encinitas.  On the first playoff hole, Massey, a very talented player who can hit it very deep, pulled his tee shot into the native area and was eliminated after Isaak and Stevens both hit excellent approach shots and converted their respective birdie putts on the 583 yard par five 1st hole.  The playoff headed to #2, which played as the most difficult hole on the course for the tournament.  Stevens would come up short with his approach shot, hitting into a hazard and a tough lie short of the green on the 442 yard par-four.  Isaak would hit his approach shot brilliantly to 15-feet and looked poised for the win.   Stevens would hit a miraculous recovery pitch from the deep native hazard area to 6 feet.  With Isaak three-putting for bogey, Stevens would bury the 6-footer for par and his 2nd win in as many weeks on Tour.   Stevens looks poised for a strong finish to the season, while Isaak virtually locked up Player of the Year honors with the T2 finish after wins in the San Diego Open and Western Masters this season.  Reigning National Champion Don O’Connor birdied his last hole on Sunday.  Surprisingly still winless this season, O’Connor finished just a stroke back at 75 along with Phil Walker of Rancho Santa Fe. 

The Palmer Flight, like the Championship, also saw a 3-way playoff on Monday.    82 would be the low round shot in this flight, with three players accomplishing this feat.  Kevin Stutts, Michael Mariotti, and Mick Yanoschak would need extra holes as well.  Both Mariotti and Stutts would par the opening playoff hole, with Yanoschak eliminated after an untimely bogey.   Stutts would ultimately prevail, using some likely experience on his way to his 2nd tournament victory of the season.  Mariotti, who was seeking his 1st ever Tour win, will have to wait at least two weeks for another opportunity but did tie for his best finish on Tour to date.  Craig Hagen rounded out the top 4 at 84. 

The Hogan Flight, like the Championship and Palmer Flight, also needed extra holes to determine the champion after Allen Cornwall and Keith Fifield tied with 81’s.  Both players tied with par on the opening playoff hole, with Cornwall getting some unique revenge on 2nd playoff hole.  Cornwall made a “9” on the par-four 2nd hole, which was also the 2nd hole of the playoff.  Getting some revenge, Cornwall improved by five strokes and made par to claim the RSF Championship in the Hogan Flight!  Darin Beeghley continued his hot play of late, finishing in 3rd place at 83. 

In the Sarazen Flight the wins keep on racking up for Dean Jacobs of Ramona.  Jacobs won for the fourth time on Tour this season, claiming the flight by a single stroke over Chris Nayve who was just lucky to be in the field.  Nayve, who was on the waiting list, was able to play after a no-show in the Sarazen Flight on Monday and he took advantage, following up his win last week with a 2nd place finish.  Eric McKay finished in third place at 88. 

The Jones Flight saw some very tight action, with Justin Dang and Randy Kilburn the last two standing at 88.   With Kilburn seeking his 2nd win on Tour and Dang looking for his 1st Tour victory ever, it would be Dang who would return to the clubhouse victorious after the sudden-death playoff. 

Gene Konrad enjoyed the smooth greens and was able to claim the Snead Flight with a round of 95 on Monday to win by a stroke.  Notably, Konrad overcame a score of “12” on the 16th hole and was able hang in there mentally for the win. 

With two players withdrawing from the flight, Art Harris would prevail over three others to claim the Senior Palmer Flight.  Harris was the only player to break into the 70’s, shooting 78 good for the win. 

In the Senior Hogan Flight, Scott Ulrich would be the only player to break into the 80’s and was rewarded with his first win since July of 2009!  Donald Chick finished in 2nd place just two strokes back at 81. 

In the Senior Sarazen Flight Ted Masek would go on to win by a single stroke, besting Ron Henley, 88-89. 
The Tour returns to action on Sunday, August 7 with the Poway Championship at Maderas Golf Club. 

Top Finishers & Results

Championship

74-Scott Stevens ($200 and Trophy)*
74-Tom Isaak ($125)
74-Taylor Massey ($125)
75-Phil Walker ($75)
75-Don O’Connor ($75)
*Won on 2nd playoff hole

Palmer Flight

82-Kevin Stutts ($150 and Trophy)*
82-Michael Mariotti ($75)
82-Mick Yanoschak ($75)
84-Craig Hagen ($25)
*Won on 3rd playoff hole

Hogan Flight

81-Allen Cornwall ($150 and Trophy)*
81-Keith Fifield ($100)
83-Darin Beeghley ($75)
84-Greg Velasquez ($25)
*Won on 2nd playoff hole

Sarazen Flight

83-Dean Jacobs ($150 and Trophy)
84-Chris Nayve ($75)
88-Eric McKay ($25)

Jones Flight

88-Justin Dang ($150 and Trophy)*
88-Randy Kilburn ($50)
*Won on 1st playoff hole

Snead Flight

95-Gene Konrad ($125 and Trophy)

Senior Palmer Flight

78-Art Harris ($150 and Trophy)

Senior Hogan Flight

79-Scott Ulrich ($125 and Trophy)
81-Donald Chick ($50)

Senior Sarazen Flight

88-Ted Masek ($125 and Trophy)
89-Ron Henley ($50)

Optional Skins Game Results

Group 1 (Championship & Palmer)

#2-Gary Robinson ($100)
#8-Adrian Reyes ($100)
#11-Phil Walker ($100)
#14-Dave Nilson ($100)
#17-Jeff Hunter ($100)

Group 2 (Hogan & Sarazen)

#3-John Usilton ($80)
#10-Scott Goedecke ($80)
#12-Ed Quinby ($80)
#13-Allen Cornwall ($80)
#14-Jeffrey Fishel ($80)
#17-Rick Offley ($80)

Group 3 (Jones & Snead)

#2-Randy Kilburn ($20)
#4-Randy Kilburn ($20)
#6-Brian Strate ($20)
#7-Alan Malmquist ($20)
#12-John Tyczki ($20)
#13-Paul Hitchcock ($20)
#14-John Tyczki ($20)
#17-Randy Kilburn ($20)
#18-Larry Boval ($20)

Stevens fires 69 to claim Cal Classic

Stevens fires 69 for first win on Tour;  O’Keefe Claims Palmer Flight in Playoff

Fallbrook, CA—The Golf Channel Amateur Tour held the 2nd annual California Classic at the Golf Club of California on Sunday.  The course was there for the taking with sunny skies and little wind and more than a few players were able to take advantage. 

Scott Stevens of Encinitas claimed his 1st victory on Tour, overtaking the defending champion, Tom Isaak, on the back nine.   Stevens carded five birdies en route to a spectacular closing nine of 32 to take the title at 3-under par 69 in what is sure to be the first of many wins on Tour for this talented player.  Isaak was also able to break par on the day, finishing in 2nd place at 1-under par 71.  2010 Southern California Tour Champion Charles Lyon played well and tied for 3rd along with Roland Rivera of San Diego at 1-over par 73. 

Michael O’Keefe got promoted to the Palmer Flight from the Hogan Flight last year and has struggled somewhat in the new flight.  That all changed on Sunday.  O’Keefe and Gregg Short were the only players in the flight to break into the 80’s, each carding a 79 which resulted in a playoff on #18.  With more than a few spectators enjoying the action from the clubhouse, O’Keefe would hit the green on the 230-yard closing par-three, ultimately being able to enjoy victory once Short missed the green left into the hazard.  Bob Hanyon carded a “9” on the fifth hole but was still able to manage an 81 to finish in a tie for third place along with Mick Yanoschak of Rancho Santa Margarita. 

The Hogan Flight saw some close scoring on Sunday, with Darin Beeghley of San Diego taking home the honors with a solid round of 9-over par 81.  The victory was surprisingly the first one for the talented 39-year old since the 2009 season, who made a solid putt on his closing hole for the narrow 1-stroke victory.   Mike Williamson of Oceanside birdied his first hole of the day, #10, and played solid all day, coming up just short and in 2nd place at 82.  Paul Kerr finished in 3rd place at 83. 

Chris Nayve blew away the competition in the Sarazen Flight, posting his best and only round under 80 in three years on Tour.  Nayve fired a 78 on Sunday good for a six stroke victory and his first on Tour since the 2009 season.   Deon Chen, recently promoted from the Jones Flight, proved his improvement was no fluke.  Chen fired a score that typically is in the winning range for the flight, but his 84 had him settle for a very good 2nd place finish in the first start in the flight.  Andrew Bloom and Kenneth Shelton Jr tied for 3rd place at 85. 

56-year young Michael Valdepena continues to improve on Tour and was rewarded with his 5th win on Tour this season in the Jones Flight on Sunday.  Valdepena, who was in the Snead Flight for some time, is making his mark on the Jones Flight in a big way this season, firing an 86 on Sunday for the win.  John Tyczki of Ramona had a good round that saw him in 2nd place at 88.  Richard McDaniel of San Diego rounded out the top three and the scoring in the 80’s for the flight at 89. 

Kenneth Swanson claimed the Snead Flight in amazing fashion on Sunday, firing a 39 on the front nine on his way to a 7-stroke victory.  Swanson broke into the 80’s for the first time in 17 rounds on Tour this season, grabbing the victory with a very solid 88.  Fellow senior Joe Strong finished in 2nd place at 95. 

In the Senior Hogan Flight there was one person who broke into the 70’s, and that person was Jack Coogan.  Coogan fired a 6-over par 78 good for a two-stroke victory over Ted Collins who finished in 2nd place at 80.  Scott Goedecke and Jervay McKinney tied for 3rd at 83. 

Sesh Ramakrishnan fired his low Tour round of the year by 8 strokes on his way to claiming Senior Sarazen.  Ramakrishnan fired a 79 on the day to take home top honors.  Jeffrey McGee of Bowie, MD fired a very solid 82 to finish in 2nd place, while Cedric Coleman took third at 86. 

Top Finishers and Results
For full-field scores and photos please visit www.gcamtour.com. 

Championship

69-Scott Stevens ($175 and Trophy)
71-Tom Isaak ($100)
73-Charles Lyon ($25)
73-Roland Rivera ($25)

Palmer Flight

79-Michael O’Keefe ($200 and Trophy)*
79-Gregg Short ($125)
81-Mick Yanoschak ($50)
81-Bob Hanyon ($50)
82-Alfredo Jimenez ($25)

Hogan Flight

81-Darin Beeghley ($150 and Trophy)
82-Mike Williamson ($100)
83-Paul Kerr ($50)

Sarazen Flight

78-Chris Nayve ($150 and Trophy)
84-Deon Chen ($100)
85-Andrew Bloom ($25)
85-Kenneth Shelton ($25)

Jones Flight

86-Michael Valdepena ($150 and Trophy)
88-John Tycski ($100)
89-Richard McDaniel ($50)

Snead Flight

88-Kenneth Swanson ($150 and Trophy)
95-Joe Strong ($75)

Senior Hogan Flight

78-Jack Coogan ($150 and Trophy)
80-Ted Collins ($100)
83-Scott Goedecke ($25)
83-Jervay McKinney ($25)

Senior Sarazen Flight

79-Sesh Ramakrishnan ($150 and Trophy)
82-Jeff McGee ($100)
86-Cedric Coleman ($50)
88-Bob Kirkbright ($25)

Optional Skins Game Results

Group 1 (Championship & Palmer)

#8-Tom Isaak ($80)
#9-Gregg Short ($80)
#14-Tom Isaak ($80)
#17-Scott Stevens ($80)

Group 2 (Hogan & Sarazen)

#1-Chris Nayve ($70)
#2-Michael Coleman ($70)
#6-Allen Cornwall ($70)
#7-Jack Coogan ($70)
#13-John Usilton ($70)
#16-Paul Kerr ($70)
#17-Michael Coleman ($70)
#18-Ted Collins ($70)

Group 3 (Jones & Snead)

#1-John Tyczki ($30)
#6-Randy Kilburn ($30)
#8-Michael Valdepena ($30)
#10-Brian Strate ($30)
#11-Michael Valdepena ($30)
#13-Paul Hitchcock ($30)
#14-Brian Strate ($30)
#15-Michael Valdepena ($30)
#17-Michael Valdepena ($30)

Congratulations to Improving Players

Congratulations to the following Tour Players who have improved on Tour this season and were promoted just recently as of the July 2 Handicap Revision:

Glenn Burton (Palmer to Championship)
Jerry Maes (Jones to Sarazen)
Shaka Johnson (Snead to Jones)
Jeff Fischel (Sarazen to Hogan)
Jose Talamantes (Hogan to Palmer)

Congratulations to these players and good luck in your new flight!

2nd Half Order of Merit; Gladstone looks solid in debut

Tour Players-

To update you on a few items:

2nd  Half Order of Merit

The 2nd-half Order of Merit just began with the Miramar Memorial Championship.   The top finisher from the 2nd half Order of Merit, not previously exempt or exempt in another category, will earn an invitation to the 2011 National Championships.  Please do not hesitate to contact me at Jstrobl@gcamtour.com or 619-933-7779 if you have any questions regarding the 2nd half Order of Merit or on how to qualify for the National Championships. 

Cory Gladstone

Cory has had quite a debut, finishing in 1st place in his 1st Tour event and finishing in 2nd place after a sudden-death playoff.  Cory is 6-under par for his first 36-holes on Tour in the Championship Flight.  Great playing, Cory!

Welcome New Tour Players & Upcoming Events

The Golf Channel Amateur Tour would like to welcome new SD Tour Players from May:

Justin Dang (Jones)
Cory Gladstone (Championship)
Cory Glidden (Sarazen)
Alfredo Jimenez (Hogan)
Troy Leonard (Sarazen)
Peter Pellizzon (Hogan)
Matthew Smith (Jones)
Scott Stevens (Championship)
Greg Velasquez (Hogan)
Phil Walker (Championship)

Upcoming Events:

June 5 - BC Championship at Barona Creek Golf Club
June 11-12 - Western Open at TPC Scottsdale (Major Championship)
June 17 - Miramar Championship at Miramar Memorial Golf Club
June 25-26 - Western Invitational at Sandpiper Golf Club (Major Championship)

Barona Creek Championship/Congratulations

The 8th annual and ever-popular Barona Creek Championship is coming up on Sunday, June 5.  Registered players will get an opportunity to see/compete on the same course that is host to the Southern California Tour Championship, Aug 27-28. 

Congratulations to Tour Players John Kollus, Don O'Connor, and Tom Isaak as they qualified to compete in the California State Amateur Championship in late June.  Good luck!

South Bay Championship Results - San Diego Country Club

San Diego Country Club a Tough Test on Windy Day

Chula Vista, CA—The Golf Channel Amateur Tour held the 4^th annual South Bay Championship on Monday at San Diego Country Club.  High winds and the fastest greens in San Diego kept player scoring in check on a great afternoon. 

Roland Rivera has knocked on the door all year.  Come Monday he is now a Tour Champion at arguably the most prestigious course on the 2011 San Diego Tour Schedule.  Rivera, who started on #10, made three birdies on the day en-route to a 1-over par 73 on a difficult day.  Arguably the nicest player on Tour, more than a few players were rooting for Rivera who played solid down the stretch to win for the first time since the Miramar Memorial Championship in 2009.  Long-hitting Matt Christensen of Escondido played great all day thanks to a nice ball-striking performance.  Christensen could not close, however, limping in with a bogey on #17 and a double bogey on #18 to finish in 2^nd place at 2-over par 74.  Defending Champion and 2010 National Champion Don O’Connor got off to a rough start but rebounded to finish in 3^rd place at 3-over par 75.  Akash “Scottie” Patel, playing on his home track, rounded out the top 4 at 76.  Buddy Duncan, playing as a guest, posted a very impressive 2-under par 70 on Monday. 

In the Palmer Flight Ryan Clem of El Cajon keeps on improving with his goal of getting to the Championship Flight in sight.  Clem, who finished in 2^nd place last week at Steele Canyon, fired a good round of 4-over par 76 to claim the South Bay Championship.  Clem, playing at San Diego Country Club for the first time in his career, thought highly of the course which was right up his ally.  Clem grew up in Michigan and enjoyed the traditional, tree-lined layout.  Scot Astor of Carlsbad was the only other player in the flight to break into the 70’s, posting a 79 to wrap up 2^nd place.  Jason Matteson of San Diego and Art Harris of La Mesa tied for 3^rd at 81. 

In the Hogan Flight, Greg Velasquez of La Jolla was able to nab his first win in as many attempts on Monday.  Velasquez, a Tour rookie making his first appearance, played solid to win the flight at 10-over par 82.  Darin Beeghley of San Diego played well and grabbed 2^nd place with an 84, while Scott Goedecke rounded out the top 3 at 85. 

The Sarazen Flight saw some playoff action with Jeffrey Fishel of Chula Vista and Dean Jacobs of Ramona tying for the lead after rounds of 85.  Fishel, a Tour rookie still looking for his first win, went up against Jacobs who was vying for his 3^rd win on the San Diego Tour in 2011 and an exemption into the National Championship.  The playoff lasted one hole, with Jacobs winning on the par 4 18^th.  Tony Anderson and David Swanson tied for 3^rd place at 88. 

Deon Chen opened some eyes on Monday in the Jones Flight.  Chen, who did not break 100 in his first three events on Tour this year in his rookie season, birdied his first two holes and obliterated his competition, firing a most impressive 7-over par 79 to win by eleven shots.  Look for Chen to make his way to the Sarazen Flight in the near future with his impressive performance and improvement on Tour!  Ty Jacob of San Diego finished in 2^nd place at 90. 

Kenneth Shelton successfully three-peated on Monday in a closely contested flight.  Shelton would prevail against his three competitors, posting a nice 99 good for a two shot win. 

The Tour would like to thank all the Tour Players and San Diego Country Club for a great 4^th annual South Bay Championship.  The Tour returns to action on Sunday, June 5 with the BC Championship at Barona Creek Golf Club. 

Top Finishers and Payouts

For full-field scores and photos please visit www.gcamtour.com. 

Championship

73-Roland Rivera ($200 and Trophy)

74-Matt Christensen ($150)

75-Don O’Connor ($125)

76-Akash “Scottie” Patel ($75)

77-Derrick Farino ($50)

78-Bill Borden ($50)

79-Michael Apriceno ($25)

Palmer Flight

76-Ryan Clem ($200 and Trophy)

79-Scot Astor ($100)

81-Jason Matteson ($50)

81-Art Harris ($50)

82-Kris Alandy ($25)

82-Carl Oakley ($25)

Hogan Flight

82-Greg Velasquez ($175 and Trophy)

84-Darin Beeghley ($75)

85-Scott Goedecke ($50)

86-Ed Quinby ($25)

Sarazen Flight

85-Dean Jacobs ($200 and Trophy)*

85-Jeffrey Fishel ($100)

88-Tony Anderson ($50)

88-David Swanson ($50)

Jones Flight

79-Deon Chen ($125 and Trophy)

90-Ty Jacob ($75)

91-Mark Millard ($25)

91-Richard McDaniel ($25)

Snead Flight

99-Kenneth Shelton ($100 and Trophy)

Optional Skins Game Results

Group 1 (Championship & Palmer)

#1-Roland Rivera ($50)

#3-Clete Adelman ($50)

#5-Gary Robinson ($50)

#6-Derrick Farino ($50)

#8-Michael O’Keefe (EAGLE, $50)

#10-Don O’Connor ($50)

#11-Carl Oakley ($50)

#13-Ryan Demirdjian ($50)

#14-Christopher Lipp (EAGLE, $50)

#17-Clete Adelman ($50)

Group 2 (Hogan & Sarazen)

#3-Andrew Bloom ($56)

#6-Yasuhiro Yoshimi ($56)

#7-Jeffrey Fishel ($56)

#10-Dean Jacobs ($56)

#18-Tony Anderson ($56)

Group 3 (Jones & Snead)

#1-Deon Chen ($30)

#2-Deon Chen ($30)

#5-Deon Chen ($30)

#6-Richard McDaniel ($30)

#9-Yuri Pikover ($30)

#10-Randy Kilburn ($30)

#14-Deon Chen ($30)

Rancho San Diego Amateur Championship Results

Rancho San Diego Amateur Championship Results

Jamul, CA—The Golf Channel Amateur Tour visited the Canyon and Ranch courses at Steele Canyon Golf Club for the 9^th consecutive year on Sunday.   Steele Canyon was in excellent condition, with its greens being in arguably the best shape in the 9-year history of the event. 

In what would turn out to be a two-man race to the finish, 40-year old Derrick Farino of Poway would end up 1-stroke better than Tom Isaak of San Diego on Sunday.  Farino, who carded four birdies on the day, would claim his first Tour victory since March of 2010 with a good round of even-par 71.  Isaak, who is certainly the front-runner for Southern California Player of the Year honors, would end up in 2^nd place with a 1-over par 72.  Adrian Reyes of San Diego posted his best finish of the year, finishing in 3^rd place with a 76. 

22-year old Ryan Clem of El Cajon, playing on his home course, was out early and posted a great round of 4-over par 75 to be the leader in the clubhouse.  Group by group in the Palmer Flight came in, none coming within 3 strokes of Clem.  Then came along 64-year old Art Harris of La Mesa.  Harris used a deft short game to post his Tour-best round of 74 to claim the first victory of his Tour career.  Harris carded three birdies on the day and proved that you don’t have to hit the ball a long way to compete or win on Tour.    Mitch Oda, the hottest player in the Palmer Flight over the past few months, tied for 3^rd at 78 along with Glenn Burton of San Diego. 

63-year old Ted Collins, 27-year old Joshua Stout, and 32-year old Adam Kruger all were paired together in the first group of the day in the Hogan Flight.  Each player fired rounds of 10-over par 81 and were collectively the clubhouse leaders for most of the day.  Anticipating a playoff, the players waited patiently for all the scorecards to come in.  Paul Kerr, playing in the last group of the day, posted an unbelievable round to grab the victory.  Kerr, who went out in 1-under par 35, posted a solid 40 on his back nine to fire the lowest personal round of his career (tournament or non-tournament round) to win the Hogan Flight.  Joining Collins, Stout, and Krueger was Yasuhiro Yoshimi in a tie for 2^nd place. 

In the Sarazen Flight Dean Jacobs of Ramona won for the first time since the opening event of the year, posting a solid 85 to claim the victory by two strokes over a slew of competitors.  Bob McCall, Ted Hynes, and Terry Bodoin all tied for 2^nd place at 87. 

Paul Hitchcock of La Mesa gained some momentum heading into the defense of his Jones Flight title next week at the South Bay Championship at San Diego Country Club.  Hitchcock smoked his tee shot on the opening hole and never looked back, carding a nice 87 to take the flight by two strokes over Jerry Maes.  Maes was the only other player in the flight to break into the 80’s, posting a nice 89 for second place. 

In the Snead Flight, Ashley Robertson keeps creeping up the leaderboard.  Robertson, who could not break 100 early in his Tour career, is improving at a nice pace and grabbed the clubhouse lead with a solid 93 on Sunday.  Joe Strong of Wildomar would ultimately win, using some very nice ball-striking to secure the win by three strokes at 90. 

The Tour returns to action on Monday, May 16 with the South Bay Championship at San Diego Country Club. 

Top Finishers and Payouts

For full-field scores and photos please see www.gcamtour.com. 

Championship

71-Derrick Farino ($125 and Trophy)

72-Tom Isaak ($100)

Palmer Flight

74-Art Harris ($200 and Trophy)

75-Ryan Clem ($100)

78-Mitch Oda ($50)

78-Glenn Burton ($50)

80-Daniel Walters ($25)

80-Kevin Stutts ($25)

Hogan Flight

75-Paul Kerr ($200 and Trophy)

81-Ted Collins ($75)

81-Joshua Stout ($75)

81-Adam Krueger ($75)

81-Yasuhiro Yoshimi ($75)

Sarazen Flight

85-Dean Jacobs ($175 and Trophy)

87-Terry Bodoin ($75)

87-Ted Hynes ($75)

87-Bob McCall ($75)

Jones Flight

87-Paul Hitchcock ($125 and Trophy)

89-Jerry Maes ($100)

Snead Flight

90-Joe Strong ($125 and Trophy)

Optional Skins Game Results

Group 1 (Championship & Palmer)

#1-David Barker ($30)

#3-Kristopher Brown ($30)

#6-Derrick Farino ($30)

#7-Art Harris ($30)

#8-Adrian Reyes ($30)

#11-Art Harris ($30)

#13-Derrick Farino ($30)

#15-Glenn Burton ($30)

Group 2 (Hogan & Sarazen)

#3-Tom Williams ($80)

#6-Paul Gale ($80)

#9-Jose Talamantes ($80)

#11-Edward Rodriguez ($80)

#12-Tom Williams ($80)

#18-Adam Krueger (Eagle, $80)

Group 3 (Jones & Snead)

#2-Jerry Maes ($40)

#3-Rimal Patel ($40)

#11-Randy Reid ($40)

#12-Deon Chen ($40)

#13-Paul Hitchcock ($40)

2010 National Champion Don O'Conner Article

Exclusive San Diego Country Club Headlines May Schedule in SD

The Golf Channel Amateur Tour is proud to announce the 4th annual South Bay Championship at San Diego Country Club coming up on Monday, May 16.  This exclusive and private facility is arguably the finest golf club in San Diego and perhaps Southern California with very fast, Augusta-like greens.  Masters Champion Billy Casper calls this course home and it is a real treat year in year out for the Tour. 

Tom Isaak Continues Hot Streak, wins Western Masters

Tom Isaak continues to roll in the Championship Flight, winning the Western Masters as an encore to his 1st Major Championship win just three weeks ago in the San Diego Open.  Isaak fired rounds of 74-75--149 in high winds to win the championship.  Jeremy Smith of Murrieta tied for 2nd just two strokes behind at 7-over par 151. 

Adam Krueger learned how to "close" and won the Hogan Flight.   Krueger, who was the overnight leader at the San Diego Open but failed to win, won wire-to-wire at the Western Masters!

Kenneth Shelton Jr made birdie on the island 17th hole, dubbed "Alcatraz" and fired the low round of the day in his flight to win the Sarazen Flight!

Mark Meddock played consistently all weekend and was rewarded with a victory in the Senior Hogan Flight. 

The Western Masters had approximately 345 players from 21 states competing on the TPC Stadium and Nicklaus Tournament courses at PGA West. 

Isaak Wins San Diego Open

San Diegan Thomas Isaak made five birdies and shot a tournament-best even-par 72 on Sunday to win the Championship Flight of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour’s inaugural San Diego Open.

Former major league pitcher Mark Mulder, who had been dominating the tour, finished seventh in the 36-hole tournament the tour considers a “major.” The competitors played one round each at Maderas Golf Club and Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Toby Tollack of San Diego beat friend Ed Quinby of Del Mar in a playoff in the Hogan Flight. David Chung of San Diego captured the Palmer Flight and Robin Terrell of Chula Vista won the Senior Hogan Flight

Mulder finds competitive edge in golf

By Tod Leonard

Friday, March 11, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.

Mark Mulder insists that he’s not nearly as serious about golf as he was about pitching in the major leagues. It’s hard to argue with that, given that Mulder won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals and was a two-time All-Star in a nine-year career.
It’s just that he’s so impressively successful on the Golf Channel Amateur Tour, he must be trying harder than he lets on.
“Don’t get me wrong, I take it serious,” Mulder said on the phone this week, "but I compete out of sheer boredom. It gives me something to do. When I come out to these things, I want to enjoy myself.”
Mulder is in San Diego for the weekend to compete in the Golf Channel Tour’s inaugural San Diego Open. Sixty-one local golfers are among a field of 180 from 21 states set to play in the 36-hole tournament at Maderas Golf Club and the Rancho Bernardo Inn.
The Golf Channel stages local tour events in numerous cities, but this is considered a “major” on the circuit. Thus the presence of Mulder, a Scottsdale, Ariz., resident who has dominated the Golf Channel Tour.
Possessing a zero handicap, Mulder won seven tournaments in the Championship Flight last year, including the Western Invitational at Sandpiper in Santa Barbara. This season, he has four Phoenix-area wins and impressive 72.25 stroke average in tournament play.
“These major tournaments are fun,” Mulder said. “You get a lot better players, and it makes for a flat-out better time. But I don’t see myself getting too serious about golf. If I did, I don’t think I’d enjoy it as much.”
Mulder, 33, who played the bulk of his career in Oakland and led the American League in wins (21) in 2001, officially left baseball in February 2010, though rotator cuff injuries had limited him since early 2005.
He regularly traveled with golf clubs in his baseball career, and he got to play at some of the country’s finest courses, including Augusta National and Pine Valley.
“I never played on the day before a game or on a game day because I never wanted anyone to be able to question that golf hurt my pitching,” Mulder said.
Now Mulder is a member at Whisper Rock, the Phil Mickelson-designed course in Scottsdale that is home to many PGA Tour players. Mulder gushes in his appreciation for the skill of tour players.
“The work these guys put in is so much different from baseball,” he said. “There were only so many pitches I could throw before it was bad for my arm. These guys can practice for hours and hours, and a lot of them do.”
Among Mulder’s favorite playing partners is Torrey Pines High alum Pat Perez.
“I’ve probably played a hundred rounds with Pat and have never beaten him,” Mulder said. “That’s crazy. You’d think I’d have one career round. But he can shoot 69 with his eyes closed. I can’t do that.”

OC Invitational Draws Record Field

OC Invitational Draws Record Field; Tijeras Creek Plays Difficult

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA—Some 150 Tour Players converged on Tijeras Creek Golf Club on Sunday, a record field for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour in Southern California (for a local tournament).  Tijeras Creek was in beautiful condition with firm, fast conditions amongst lush emerald grass.  The green speeds were up which challenged players on a typical, nice spring day in Orange County.   Lastly, pace of play was excellent with no penalties and rounds from 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes!

48-year old Cliff Martin of Los Angeles and 51-year old Bill Poirer fired the low rounds of the Championship on Sunday.  Both players took quite different routes to their low round of 3-over par 75 which resulted in a sudden-death playoff.  Martin would prevail on the 1^st playoff hole to claim the OC Invitational, his 1^st win on Tour.  Mike Gonzales of Redondo Beach played well and was the clubhouse leader for awhile.  Gonzales would settle in at 3^rd place just a stroke back at 76.  Long-hitting Matthew Christensen and Tour rookie Bill Gregg each tied for 4^th at 77. 

Tour rookie Mark Shaefer, playing in his 2^nd event ever, improved by 13 strokes to claim the OC Invitational on Sunday.  Schaefer would go birdie-less, however his round of 77 was more than good enough for the win.  Schaefer, who calls Tijeras Creek his home course, managed the fast greens well and played great.  Brian Gororo of Garden Grove, also a Tour rookie who was playing in his 1^st event, played well and finished in 2^nd place at 81.  Michael Chipp of San Diego would round out the top 3 at 82. 

In the Senior Palmer Flight Arif Shakeel, back to Tour action after a busy 2010, fired the low round of the day, a sparkling 2-over par 78 to win the Senior Palmer Flight. 

Robert Petrakovitz made a disastrous triple bogey to finish his round and he thought his chances at the title were sunk.  Turns out some of the other leaders had some issues closing out their round, and Petrakovitz was able to claim the Hogan Flight with a solid round of 81.  Toby Tollack’s round included a “10”, 4 birdies, and a closing double bogey that forced him to settle in at 2^nd place with an 82.  Jeff Barry of San Diego also finished in 2^nd place with an 82.  Shashank Patel of Yorba Linda carded 3 birdies on his way to a 4^th place finish and 84. 

In the Senior Hogan Flight Ron McCarthy got some redemption from last week.  McCarthy, who lost in a playoff at the Lost Canyons Classic, rebounded nicely firing a 78 to claim the Senior Hogan Flight.  McCarthy’s great round included birdies on 2 and 13.  Roland Jasmann played well and also broke 80, missing the lead by a single stroke at 79. 

In the Sarazen Flight two players were able to navigate the fast greens and break 90.  Tony Anderson of Playa Del Rey and Scott Peters of West Hills tied for the clubhouse lead at 87.  On the 1^st playoff hole, Peters hit his drive right down the middle while Anderson pushed his tee shot into the right rough and trees.   Anderson then hit what he described as “the best 8-iron of my life”, a rocket from 165, to about 20 feet as darkness descended on the course.  Peters would miss the green and make bogey, while Anderson was able to 2-putt for the win. 

In what could have been the greatest playoff in the history of the Senior Sarazen Flight, the 4 players who tied for the lead had to settle for a scorecard playoff as an on-course playoff was not possible due to darkness.  Rod Brewster (88) was officially declared the winner, while Steve Parrish (88), Sesh Ramakrishnan (88), and Robert Dugan (88) all tying for 2^nd place in a very closely contested flight. 

Deon Chen, who had not broken 100 in three previous attempts on Tour, blitzed the Jones Flight by firing an unbelievable round of 83 on Sunday.  David Hawks continues to play well and locked up 2^nd place at 89.  In the Senior Jones Flight Michael Valdepena of San Diego was able to fire a 94 and win the senior division by 3 shots.   John Tyczyki or Ramona finished in a respectable 2^nd place at 97. 

In the Snead Flight David Harper was able to win the event, also shooting a 94 on the day.  Ashley Robertson fired his best round on Tour and continues to keep improving which is great to see.  Ashley fired a 95 to finish in 2^nd place. 

Hello Am Tour Players and Fans

Welcome to the Official San Diego Golf Channel Am Tour blog!  This blog will act as your resource for the latest news, results, player profiles and pictures from all of our events.

Follow along to stay up-to-date on what’s happening with our local and national tournaments and the Tour Members who make Golf Channel Am Tour, the best in the nation. Plus, get exclusive access to Am Tour right at your fingertips - anytime, anywhere when you follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Interested in joining Golf Channel Am Tour?  Visit gcamtour.com for more information on how you can become a Member of the nation’s #1 amateur tour!  

Thanks so much for visiting!