AG Silicon Valley Am: Payne leads with competitive record 63
January 9, 2021 | by Pete Wlodkowski of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Weston Payne, View results for AGC Silicon Valley Amateur, Stanford University Golf Course
Mid-Am Weston Payne asks "where's the first tee, and what's the course record" and leads by three shots at Baylands Golf Links
Rain at weddings is said to be good luck. But for the first round at a new host venue for one of our most important events?
We prefer sunshine.
And that's exactly what we got for our maiden voyage around the wonderful Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto. That California sunshine, combined with perfect greens, a very fair setup, and five reachable par-5s opened the door for a special round.
"Looking at the course, there's five par-5s and a fairly reachable par-4," said Payne. "I took care of all of those holes -- birdied all six of them -- and added a few more birdies."
The commercial real estate broker made it sound easy. But the difference between a flawless 9-under round and the other 11 rounds in the 60's today is that Payne never took his foot off the gas pedal. All the way to a key up-and-down for a final birdie on No. 9, his last.
He's a reinstated amateur who is not afraid to go low, as evidenced by his second round of 64 at Del Monte in December at the AG Christmas Classic. (He made up five strokes on leader Joshua Lim forcing a playoff, but was thwarted by a tree on the first playoff hole.)
This time, Payne is the man being chased.
Former Univ. of the Pacific golfer Beau Forest and Ethan Ashbrook -- one of the St. Mary's Univ. golf team members using the tournament as a spring season warmup and qualifier -- are three back at 66, while Shane Muldowney of UC Davis and defending champion Blake Hathcoat are at 5-under 67.
Muldowney had a highlight real shot at No. 2, his 11th hole, holing out for eagle on the par-4 with a sand wedge from 95 yards. He reached 7-under on the day with another birdie on the next hole, before giving up a couple of shots back coming in.
SENIOR and NET DIVSIONS
"Young senior" Dan O'Connor, 54, is out to a 5-shot lead over Jay Weiss in the Senior division with a 6-under 66, that included eight magical trips to birdie land. The Olympic Club member has been working on his game, and it's paying off. He credited a hot putter, and a new "mini Matthew Wolff" swing trigger.
"One of my problems has been getting too static over the ball,” said O’Connor, an Irishman that now calls San Francisco home. “My coach at the Olympic Club, Richard Sheridan, gave me a great key, to do a little pivot to the left side before taking it back. It's really freed me up.”
Sweet-swinging Jim Knoll of Sunnyvale paces the Super-Seniors after an even par 72. Michael Wishart birdied the last three holes to shoot 74, while Tom O'Grady, Tom Lyons, and Rocky Wolf all shot 77. Nobody broke their age today, but on Sunday, the potential is there. Just saying.
Roman Slepica, an 8-handicap player from Oakland who plays out of Metropolitan Golf Links leads the Net division at 77.
The final round is Sunday, January 10. Due to local Covid-19 protocols, no spectators or caddies are permitted. But you may follow the action by downloading the Golf Genius app and using the links on the AmateurGolf.com Tour page.
Results: AGC Silicon Valley Amateur
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menlo Park, CA | 150 | 63-68=131 | |
| 2 | Fresno, CA | 100 | 67-65=132 | |
| 3 | Santa Maria, CA | 50 | 66-67=133 | |
| T4 | El Dorado Hills, CA | 50 | 68-66=134 | |
| T4 | Redding, CA | 50 | 66-68=134 |
About the AGC Silicon Valley Amateur
2026 TOURNAMENT PORTALThe Silicon Valley Amateur is now a 54-hole, limited-field WAGR points event! The field will consist of 64 scratch players and 18 invited scratch seniors. After 36 holes are contested (one round on Monday, one on Tuesday), the f...
Most Popular Articles
Rory McIlroy Wins 2026 Seminole Pro-Member With Dad Gerry
Mar 2, 2026Rory McIlroy added another trophy to the mantle on golf’s most exclusive Monday, teaming with father Gerry at Seminole Golf Club.
U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock
Feb 19, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.
FINAL RESULTS: Gasparilla Invitational 2026
Feb 21, 2026Hayes Brown wins Gasparilla at 2-under, edging Peyton White by one, while Jeff Frazier claims the Senior title at Palma Ceia.
Yunseo Yang Wins Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific at Royal Wellington Golf Club
Feb 15, 2026Yunseo Yang makes history as Korea’s first WAAP champion, earning major exemptions with a dominant win.
If You’re Entering the U.S. Open, Read This First: 2026 Qualifying Explained
Feb 16, 2026110 locals. One Longest Day. Zero margin. Here’s what you need to know before filing for the 2026 U.S. Open.