BURBANK, Calif. (April 27, 2008) -- In a duplicate of last year's performance in the Kelly Cup Invitational, Tim Hogarth of Northridge won the tournament by 8-strokes with a three round total of 1-over 211 at Lakeside Golf Club. It was his fourth straight victory in the prestigious event with a field of some of the United States' top country club players.

Trailing by one over Mike Hyland of Las Vegas entering the final round, Hogarth shot 69 on Sunday and was never seriously challenged as Hyland posted 80 and Jeff Hunter of Fairbanks Ranch, the other member of the final group, posted 82. Second place went to Randal Cross of Morgan Creek Country Club in Roseville, who posted a solid 219 tournament total.

The scores, with the only player finishing close to par winning by eight strokes, only tell part of the story.

For the tournament's 25th anniversary, and in preparation for its hosting of the California State Amateur in June, Lakeside Country Club, grew rough that was as thick and consistent as many players (including this story's author, an 3 handicap that never scared breaking 80) have ever seen. Miss one of Lakeside's "old school tiny" greens or fairways (more generous, but still tight in places) and bogey or worse almost always seems to find its way onto the card.

For Hogarth, course knowledge, and an uncanny ability to pick his spots as he maneuvers his way around Lakeside's small targets provided fellow competitors with very few chances on Sunday, as he focused on the task at hand and didn't get caught up in the size of his lead or what the other players in his group were doing.

"I've played this course quite a few times," said Hogarth. "If you take on certain challenges, like hitting driver [on the short par 4 12th hole] you get rewards. And I find the small targets really make me bear down and hit good shots."

Last year, before the summer even got into full swing Hogarth took 2nd at the SCGA Mid-Am, then won the Kelly Cup and the Pasadena and Los Angeles City Championships. He is a past champion of the USGA Public Links (1997), which came with an invitation to the 1998 Masters.

Hogarth has now captured six Kelly Cup titles, including the last four in a row.

ABOUT THE KELLY CUP:

The Kelly Cup is played in honor of one of California's most accomplished amateurs of the '30s and '40s, Roger Kelly. A longtime Lakeside Golf Club member - Mr. Kelly's record is too long to list. He won the SCGA Amateur (1936), the California State Amateur (1937 and 1938), the California Open (1936), and twice captured the Crosby Pro-Am (one of those victories with the legendary Sam Snead). Mr. Kelly passed away on November 20, 2004, but his legend will live on forever at Lakeside, where a bronze trophy of him stands near the clubhouse. It is safe to say that he would be proud to see his club host the California State Amateur, which it will do in 2008.

TOURNAMENT NOTES:

- Lakeside members Greg Bell and Spike Silver took third and fifth place, respectively. Bell -- who captured the Friday "Horse Race" alternate shot event with Straight Down Golf founder Mike Rowley -- was 2-under through a good part of the back nine on Sunday but finished double bogey-bogey and settled for a 2-over 72 playing several groups in front of the leaders.

- Tournament Chairman Mike Dinardo tied for low in his flight, as did the owner of more Lakeside club championships as you can count on two hands, Dan Pouliot. Ironically, both players lost card-offs for first place.

- A note of thanks from all players to the entire membership and staff of Lakeside for hosting this event, in addition to Head Professional Rick Stegall and his team, and of course Mr. Dinardo and his committee.

To view complete results including top finishers in all flights, click here>

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