Flight winners from L-R: Donovan Koah, Carmelo Valdivia,
Kyle Fraser and Dennis Campbell
(SCGA Photo)
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA (April 4, 2017) -- After advancing through one of ten qualifiers last month, more than 180 players teed it up at Industry Hills GC this week in the 2017 SCGA Amateur Net Championship. Players competed on both the Babe and Ike courses over the two-day event, which represents the SCGA's premier net championship, now in its 25th year. The championship field is divided into four flights of different handicap levels.
BOBBY JONES FLIGHT
Kyle Fraser, the only female to advance to the 180-player Championship field, put together two impressive rounds of golf to top the Bobby Jones flight with a 36-hole total of 1-under par 142. After playing golf in high school, the 24-year-old Fraser took a break from the sport to compete for the Stanford Women's Lacrosse team from 2012-2015 where she made three NCAA appearances. After college, she looked to return to golf, competing this year in her first SCGA tournament.
"It was fun, but a little intimidating," said Fraser, who nine months ago decided to recommit to her golf game. "I played really well today, and overall hit the ball really well."
Fraser followed up an opening round 73 with a 69 on the Ike course. Her dad, who flew in from Texas for the tournament, was on the bag.
Fraser topped the rest of the 45-person field by three strokes, with Jose Tristan from River Ridge GC earning the second-place finish at 145. Matching the 145 score was Nicholas Bock of Seacliff CC, who finished third after the USGA-suggested method of matching score cards to break the tie. Michael Willett finished 1-stroke behind at 146, as did fifth-place finisher Bill Cushman of La Purisima GC.
JACK NICKLAUS FLIGHT
The Jack Nicklaus Flight, where competitors played the Babe Course Monday followed by the Ike Course Tuesday, was won by Carmelo Valdivia of Toluca Lake GC. For Valdivia, the old adage "third time's a charm" rang true, as the Lakeside CC caddie pulled out the victory in his third time playing in the Championship.
"Yesterday was a really good day for me, I felt like I couldn't miss," said Valdivia. "Today was tough, but I hung in there."
Valdivia relied on his opening-round 65 to propel him to victory, shooting a 76 Tuesday to finish in a tie for first place. After the tie-breaker, it was Michael Walker of the Navy GC's Men's Club who finished second.
Marco Reyna earned a third place finish, shooting a two-round total of 1-under par 142, while Kenny Hussain of Sandpiper GC and Dave Dillon of Mile Square GC rounded out the Top 5 with a total of 146.
ARNOLD PALMER FLIGHT
No stranger to the SCGA winning circle, Dennis Campbell of Arrowhead CC added a new win to his resume, topping the Arnold Palmer Flight for his first SCGA Amateur Net victory. With a two-round total of 9-under par 134, Campbell shot rounds of 69 and 65 to best his flight by 2 strokes on what was his first two rounds at Industry Hills.
"I don't hit the ball very far, but I relied on my short game to pull off the win," said Campbell, who also won the 2014 SCGA Tournament of Club Champions (Net).
Campbell beat out Michael May of Mountain Meadows, who finished second, and Frank Baracao of Saddleback Valley GC, who finished third. Rounding out the Top 5 in the 45-player flight was Dave Davidson of Sierra Lakes GC and Senthil Sivaswamy of Torrey Pines GC.
BEN HOGAN FLIGHT
Donovan Koah was the Cinderella story of the day, having made the field as an alternate before rising to the top and winning the Ben Hogan Flight.
"I tried to qualify for this event the last two years and didn't make it," said Valdivia, a financial adviser. "This year, I got in as an alternate, and it worked out! It was a grind, but I knew here at these courses I needed to try and keep the ball in play, and I was able to do that."
Koah, who did have an edge as a frequent visitor to Industry Hills, won his flight with rounds of 64 and 66. He bested Ramon Hilario by 2 strokes.
Bobby Bhakta of Las Posas CC finished with a total of 9-under par 134, 4 strokes off the lead, while Robert Torres finished at 138 and Henry Leeper at 140.
View results for SCGA Amateur Net
ABOUT THE SCGA Amateur Net
This Championship is open to every SCGA member!
Also known as “The People’s Championship,” The SCGA
Amateur Net Championship represents an opportunity
for every member to compete in a championship
administered by the SCGA. Players must qualify for the
championship, which is divided into flights based on
Handicap Index.
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