- he birdied three of the last five holes
MONTEREY, Calif. (May 24, 2009) -- Randy Haag of Burlingame won a tough contest over Chris Marin and first round leader Spencer Fletcher, posting even-par 144 to their 1-over 145's in the 9th annual amateurgolf.com Monterey Bay Championship, presented by Bridgestone Golf.
Haag, playing a group in front of the leaders but only three strokes back of Fletcher (2-under 70 in round one) at the beginning of the day, started out with a birdie on No. 1, bogeyed the bowling-alley tight 2nd, then birdied the seventh to get to 1-under on the day.
On the 476-yard, uphill 9th hole (I meant to move the tee a bit forward there folks, sorry 'bout that), where many players had trouble reaching the green, Haag bombed a slider around the left to right dogleg that left a 5-iron in, but he missed the green and took a bogey. "That one stung," he later said.
Call him the comeback kid on the back nine - after suffering a double on the monster hole of that side (No. 13) he made birdies on 14, 16, and 18 to finish with a 1-under back and 71 on the day.
Credit first round leader Fletcher, an Arizona State Freshman from Los Altos, with not giving up after a tough front nine of 41. Fletcher came back with a 2-under 34 on the back nine to just miss a playoff with Haag. And Chris Marin, one of amateurgolf.com's most consistent players, shot 74 to post 145 and tie Fletcher for second place.
Recent winner of the NCGA Senior Championship Gary Vanier took the Senior Division title by a decisive six strokes -- "I guess you could call me steady today," he said" -- while Andrew Loftus won his second Net title in this event. Loftus has played in all nine Monterey Bay Championships.
To view a photo gallery from the event, click here>
ABOUT THE amateurgolf.com 2009 Monterey Bay Championship
Tournament Update: May 21, 2009
There are two Net spots open and one Championship. If you are interested in playing, please call Pete Wlodkowski at 760-685-3406 for a late registration.
Tournament Info: The Monterey Bay Championship is one of amateurgolf.com's premier events. Challenge your game at Bayonet Black Horse, which has hosted the California State Amateur, the Champions Tour First Tee Classic, the PGA Tour's west coast qualifying events, and more.
You won't believe the makeover that is now complete at all 36 holes, which can only be said to move the resort from fantastic to truly world class.
The tournament is 36 Holes, with three Divisions:
-Championship (5.4 and under)
-Senior (8.0 and under)
-Handicap (5.5-15.0)
** NCGA Points event- part of the amateurgolf.com Tournament Series
View Complete Tournament Information