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)
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