LONG BEACH, Calif. (June 24, 2013) -- Virginia CC proved to be a tough competitor in itself Monday, providing a tough challenge to the 82 members of the 2013 SCGA Senior Amateur Championship field. Just seven competitors were able to shoot under par, led by 2011 Champion Jeff Burda (pictured) and Steven Fink leading the way after first round scores of 2-under par 69.
Burda was able to navigate Virginia CC Monday by posting three birdies and just one bogey. Fink was able to match that score with a round that included two birdies, two bogeys and an impressive eagle on the par 5 fifth hole.
It's no surprise to see Burda leading the pack, as the PGA West member has dominated Southern California senior golf the past few years. After winning the SCGA Senior in 2011, he narrowly missed become a two-time champion last year, when he was defeated in a playoff at Pauma Valley CC. Burda has also won the CGA Senior Amateur three times, from 2008-2010.
A number of other familiar names join Burda and Fink in red numbers, including 2012 SCGA Senior Player of the year Jim Knoll and 2012 Senior Match Play Champion Greg Hetzer, who is a Virginia CC member. Each of the men shot rounds of 1-under par 70, and were joined in a tie for third with Kevin Hayes Sr., Gary Vanier and Kenneth Knott.
Competitors will return to the course Tuesday morning for the final 18 holes.
The top-10 finishers will earn exemptions into this year’s CGA Senior Amateur Championship and next year’s SCGA Senior Amateur Championship.
Founded in 1909, host course Virginia CC is the home course for a number of professionals, including John Cook, John Merrick, John Mallinger and Patrick Cantlay. The course has hosted five SCGA Amateur Championships, the last being in 1985. The current course layout was designed by Willie Watson in 1920, but refurbished by John Harbottle in the 1990s.
View results for SCGA Senior Amateur
ABOUT THE SCGA Senior Amateur
This event is open to members with handicap
indexes
of 9.4 and below and are age 55 and above.
Competitors compete in 18 holes of qualifying play
in
order to reach the final field of 84 players. In the
championship, players compete over 54 holes of
stroke
play over three days. The top 30 players and ties
advance after 36 holes to the final round to
determine
the overall Senior Amateur Champion.
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