Patrick Bauer, Champion Grant Rappleye and Pace Johnson
Grant Rappleye comes from 7 back to win State Fair by 3 strokes
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept 6, 2010) – Just a day after Michael Weaver set the new course record at the Alister MacKenzie Course at Haggin Oaks, Grant Rappleye surprised everyone by posting a 63 of his own, with the 86th California State Fair title on the line.
The junior at Sacramento State started the day seven strokes back of leader Pace Johnson who had a two day total 14-under 130 with rounds of 66 and 64. Rappleye had 8 birdies, an eagle and one bogey in his record tying round of 9-under par.
The old record of 64, held by J.J. Jakovac, Bob Niger, Matt Grush and Erik Flores, was broken just the day before in round two by Michael Weaver of Fresno.
Rappleye finished in dramatic fashion, nearly making a double eagle on No. 18. His second shot on the par 5 just skimmed the hole and left him with a one foot tap-in.
Rappleye's three day total of 200 just missed the tournament record of 199 set by Robert Hamilton in 2001. Rappleye, of Elk Grove, finished his summer strong despite some disappointing missed cuts at the State Match play at Spyglass and Poppy Hills and failing to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. He has hopes of making the traveling team to Washington State next week for his team’s opening event of the season. One would hope he would be a lock after his incredible play this weekend.
It was a huge victory for Rappleye, especially considering what he told the Sacramento Bee about almost giving up the game:
"I was playing so horribly that I took two weeks off last year and enjoyed it," said the Elk Grove resident. "My dad said if I quit playing he'd understand. But I came back and changed my swing completely and went from a draw to a cut. I took my hands completely out of the swing, and it's really worked for me."
Patrick Bauer of Colfax and second round leader Pace Johnson tied for second place with a total of 203. Richard Lamb of South Bend, Ind was alone at 4th with a 204.
MASTER DIVISION
In the Master Division, played at Bing Maloney Golf Course, Jeff Stewart of Sacramento won by three with a 54 hole total of 209 and rounds of 69, 70 and 70. Dan Corfee of El Macero Country Club was second with a 212 shooting 71, 73 and 68. Taking third was Craig Kilcoyne with a 214 and rounds of 70, 71 and 73.
SENIOR DIVISION
The Senior Division was played at Mather Golf Course. Herb Jensen was the winner with a 214 shooting 73, 73 and 68. Jim Knoll took second with 215 and rounds of 69, 73 and 73. Tied for third at 216 was John Enright with 72, 75, 69 and Ben Whipple with 76, 68 and 72. Don Thames had the tournament low round with a 67.
Gene Ackerman won the super senior division, also played at Mather, with a two day total 142 shooting rounds of 72 and 70. Tied for second place with 145 was Jim Ono with rounds of 73 and 72 and Jay Guerin with 72 and 73.
The State Fair Men's Amateur Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious Amateur Championships in the West. The Championship is limited to 108 players. Competition commences over a 54-hole stroke play format with 18 holes played each day. ...
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