SAN MATEO, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2009) -- NCGA Amateur Champion George Gandranata fired three straight under par rounds at Poplar Creek Golf Course (67-65-65), holding off a surging Shotaro Ban (final round 61) to win by 2.
Granted, equipment is much-improved and balls "go far" but, these guys really are good. You still have to get the ball in the hole, and make a lot of putts. And you don't shoot 13-under with many doubles, that's for sure.
Shotaro Ban's 9-under 61, which he shot playing two groups in front of the leaders, didn't faze Gandranata.
"I knew I had to go really low and I knew I could because I have been working hard on my swing and my short game with my coach, Jim Hamm," said Gandranata, after the tournament.
"Shotaro actually played 2 groups ahead of me so I did not know what happened but I just kept grinding."
And looking at the scores shows how Gandranata Ban really turned the event into a two person race for first in this historic tournament, named for long time "San Mateo Muni" (now Poplar Creek) head pro Tom Fry. This year marked the 73rd playing of the event.
TOURNAMENT NOTES:
- Ban's round of 61 was 3 shy of the 12-under course record 58 posted by Adam Ichikawa in this event in 2008.
* * *
Final 54-hole results from the Tom Fry San Mateo County Amateur, played at the par 70 Poplar Creek Golf Course:
-- 197 -- George Gandranata
* Note - final round of 61 helped George win the tournament, but does not break course record of 58 shot in 2008 by Adam Ichikawa
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Southeast