MIDDLETOWN, CALIF. (August 6, 2006) -- Jonathan Carlson lives next to Buckingham Country Club. He is a member at Adams Springs Golf Club. This weekend, he acted as if he owned Hidden Valley Lake Country Club as he demolished the rest of a strong regional field in capturing the 3rd annual Hidden Valley Lake Amateur, a point event on the NCGA circuit.

The 25 year old Carlson, a former Kelseyville High School and Point Loma University golf team member, opened play on Saturday with a tournament record -8 under par 64 that included seven birdies, an eagle on the par five 12th hole, and one bogey. Carlson slept on an eight stroke lead and returned Sunday to shoot a safe two over par 74. His 64-74-138 total was good enough for six stroke margin of victory.

Carlson attributed his victory to a series of lessons he took from Carl Lohren over the past several months. Lohren, a friend of Carlson’s uncle, Senior PGA Tour pro Babe Hiskey, revamped Carlson’s swing. The lessons took place on Lohren’s farm in Dandridge, Tennessee and in Palm Springs. The results have been very positive of late as Carlson won the NCGA Lake County Partners at Buckingham in June and has now added his first individual title of note at Hidden Valley Lake.

In second place was two time Sonoma County and HVL Amateur champ John Dunn of Middletown. Dunn shot 75 on Saturday and came back with the low round of the day on Sunday, a -3 under par 69 for an even par 144 total.. One stroke further back in third place was Barry Silva of Hidden Valley Lake who carded scores of 72-73-145. Rounding out the top five was Juan Lopez of Finley who posted totals of 76-70-146 and Kevin Kobalter of Marin who came in at 72-76-148.

In the net flight for golfers with handicaps of eight and above, Sean Lyon of Hidden Valley won his division with net scores of 71-64-135. One stroke back in second place was Jeff Vonwal of Clearlake Riviera. Vonwal shot 69-67-136. Chip Bowling of Kelseyville was third at 70-69-139. The remainder of the top five included Ted Knowles of Lakeport who posted 72-68-140 and Gary Moran of Lakeport who shot 77-66-143.

In the senior division for golfers aged 55 and above, five time Hidden Valley Lake club champions Grant Fahs shot 76-71-147 to win by two strokes over Jack Streeter and Leonard Lea. Streeter, who has perfected the claw putting grip, shot 73-76-149 while Lea came in at 74-75-149. Don Geiger was fourth with 79-72-151 while Rene Purugganan of Windsor finished out the top five at 77-77-154. The staff at Hidden Valley Lake anticipates that next year’s HVL Am will also double as an NCGA senior point event.

In the senior net flight, Dr. Leroy Bowser of Hidden Valley won his division with net scores of 70-64-134. Tom Jolin of Lakeport shot net 67-68-135 while Maury Kemp of Hidden Valley was next at 79-71-150.

NCGA Points:

1. Jonathan Carlson Adams Springs 64-74-138 50 pts

2. John Dunn Hidden Valley Lake 75-69-144 30 pts

3. Barry Silva Hidden Valley Lake 72-73-145 20 pts

4. Juan Lopez Buckingham 76-70-146 10 pts

5. Kevin Kobalter Meadow Club 72-76-148 5 pts