- file photo
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2011) -- 65
was the magic number today, in all three
divisions of the Christmas Classic.
First off, was Nick Sako of Menlo Park (and the
St. Mary's College golf team) who fired a 5-
under 65 at the sun kissed Pacific Grove Golf
Links to take the first round lead in the
Championship Division.
Sako leads a trio of players (Jeff Hamm of
Danville, Barry Logar of Fairfield, and Cameron
Rappleye of Elk Grove) by 2 strokes on a day
that was so nice that the short, scenic course
we like to call "The Poor Man's Pebble Beach"
was left almost defenseless.
Sako started his round on the eighth hole, and
after a pair of pars played the back nine (right
on the Pacific Ocean) in 2-under. He rattled off
a string of three birdies on holes 3-5, then
closed out his round with two more pars. And
he wasn't the only bogey-free player in the
field, as Logar accomplished the same feat.
Another 65, from the same tees, was posted by
Jim Knoll of Sunnyvale in the Senior Division.
The Northern California G.A. Senior Player-of-
the-Year had an amazing eight birdies on the
day. He is trailed by Mark Miller of Antioch, who
fired 2-under 68, and Rob Adolph and John
Seed, both of whom posted 71.
Tournament founder Casey Boyns (many
regulars still refer to the tournament as
"Casey's") posted a 2-over 72. It's his first time
entering this event (which he has won more
than once) as a senior.
In the Net Division, it's "Steele again" as the
14-handicap player from Concord posted 79 for
a Net 65 and two shot lead over Marc Sanders
of Turlock. Another shot back, and easily within
reach, is Todd Knapp of Salinas.
Tournament Notes:
-Members of the staff from the Stevinson
Ranch Golf Club Learning Center were on hand
during Day 1.
Visit Stevenson Ranch Golf Club
here
- Best way to avoid the most treacherous pin
placement of the day (it was dangerously close
to a steep slope off the front) award goes to
Jeff Hamm -- he holed out from 75 yards for an
eagle two on the 7th hole (his 2nd).
- The "low family anywhere" award goes to the
Rappleyes. With Hunter, Grant, and Cameron
posting 2-under combined, and dad coming in
at a very respectable 4-over, the family total
combined gross today was 2-over-par. Look
out Haas family, we might have a challenger for
you someday.
- Special Thanks: Jim and Ryan from the new
Stevinson Ranch Learning Center. To celebrate
the opening of the Learning Center, and help
out our charity of choice, they donated an
overnight package for two, including golf and a
fitting to the winner of our annual fund raiser
for NCGA's Youth on Course. The closest to the
pin winner was Spencer Blodgett, who hit it to
within 6' 9" of the tricky pin placement on No.
1. Tom Silva (10' 6") was 2nd and gets a
foursome at Stevinson, while Stephen Griggs
was 3rd and wins a $50 gift certificate at Pacific
Grove. Please pick up your prizes on Sunday
before you tee off.
The final round will be played at Del Monte as a
9:00 am shotgun start. Pairings and first round
scores can be viewed by clicking the link below.
Users on a mobile phone browser can click on
"tournaments/amateurgolf.com tournament
series" and follow the schedule to find the
Christmas Classic, scrolling down to see final
round pairings.
ABOUT THE AGC Christmas Classic
>> TOUR PORTAL | PHOTO GALLERY
The Christmas Classic was
founded by 2-time
California State Amateur Champion Casey
Boyns over 20 years ago and it always
attracts
a great field. This is our most popular event,
and year in and year out it sells out. Field
limited to 104 players; Championship, Senior,
and Net divisions.
Your entry fee includes two rounds of
golf
(cart at players expense), $4500 in
Callaway Golf certificate prizes,
$20 lunch certificate,
and a
great
weekend at one of the Monterey Peninsula's
wonderful classic courses, "Old" Del Monte.
DIVISIONS
CHAMPIONSHIP
For players aged 16 and over who have a USGA or
equivalent index of less than 5.5
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
For players age 50 and over (as of the tournament
date) with a handicap index of less than 8.0. Note:
Must be 55 and over for NCGA Senior Points.
NET
For players 16 and over with handicap between 5.5
and 18.0.
MID-AM (subdivision of Championship)
For players age
25-49. Compete alongside the younger players in the
Championship Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and if there are at least six Mid-Ams,
a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded.
SUPER SENIORS (subdivision of Senior)
For players age
65+. Compete alongside the younger senior players
in
the
Senior Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and if there are at least six players 65
or
over, a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded for low
super senior.
WOMEN (subdivision of Championship)
Will play in the Championship
Division but from a shorter tee; if there are at least
six women in
the field, a separate prize and trophy will be
awarded. Net players will
play in the Net Division but from a shorter tee.
View Complete Tournament Information