David Gazzolo wins Inland Empire Amateur
David Gazzolo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Former UC-Riverside golfer David Gazzolo went bogey-free on Monday at Victoria Club to shoot 64 and win by six at the Inland Empire Amateur Championship.
Gazzolo, after sharing the 36-hole lead with Tongun Lako Losarah at 4-under, began his third round slowly with pars at the first and second, including a disappointing four at the drivable par-4 second hole.
“After parring number two, I thought ‘uh oh, not a day like this,’ but I knocked it to a foot on three for birdie and felt better.”
He used an eagle on the par-5 4th and a 5-under par back-nine to post 64 and cruise to victory. Gazzolo, of Riverside, graduated from UC-Riverside in May.
He has played the tournament the last four years, and finally broke through for the win. When asked to sum up his feelings, Gazzolo said, “It feels really good to win this. It’s a good warm up for Web.com [Tour] Pre-Qualifying coming up.”
Sean Birren, the 2015 Southern California Public Links and Industry Hills City Championship winner, took second place thanks to 69 in the third round. Anthony Perea and Tavit Garabedian finished a stroke behind Birren in a tie for third place at 6-under 210.
-David Ober contributed to this story.
ABOUT THE Inland Empire Amateur
The Inland Empire Amateur Championship is
a
three day event played at three courses in an
area
where Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernadino
and
Orange Counties all come together. Format is 54
holes of stroke play with the top 40% advancing to
the final round. Played each year over Labor Day
weekend.
Flights:
Championship Flight - 5.0 and below
First Flight - 5.1 to 9.0
Second Flight - 9.1 to 15.0
View Complete Tournament Information