NCGA Senior Championship: How the West was won
9/29/2021 | by Northern California Golf Association
see also: View results for NCGA Senior, Poppy Hills Golf Course
Corey West wins his first NCGA title at Poppy Hills in a playoff
A member at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, West bounced back from a painful bogey on the 54th hole of regulation with a 45-foot birdie putt for the win on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff with Mark Morgan to capture the 60th NCGA Senior Championship on Wednesday at Poppy Hills. It marked the first NCGA victory for the 59-year-old West.
Arriving at the par-5 18th hole in regulation, West had a two-shot lead over Morgan and looked to be in firm control of the championship. West’s approach shot, however, fell into the front greenside bunker. Facing an awkward lie, his fourth shot still left him in the bunker. He’d eventually get up-and-down for a bogey, but Morgan, a three-time winner of the NCGA Senior Valley Amateur, would make a clutch birdie on 18 to tie for the lead.
On the first playoff hole (par-16th), West appeared doomed when his approach shot—from the fairway bunker—again found a deep greenside bunker. Morgan, who had reached the green in two, had a birdie putt for the win but missed. West, meanwhile, made a fantastic sand save to a flagstick near the back of the green to keep the playoff going.
A hole later on the par-3 17th, both players had long putts after reaching the green in regulation. West’s 45-foot birdie fell in, while Morgan’s putt missed. Earlier in the round, West had almost the exact same putt and had missed.
“It ended up being a lot more exciting than if I had just made par on 18 to finish,” joked West, who’d shoot a final round 75. “I could’ve saved everyone some time.”William (Corey) West is still the leader at the NCGA Senior Championship at Poppy Hills pic.twitter.com/8WPgQb5eEj
— NCGA (@ncga1901) September 28, 2021
In the final round, West, who opened with a 68, would not only be tested by Morgan, but also NCGA Hall of Famer Randy Haag and former USGA champion Jeff Wilson, among others. Morgan had a final round 73 to force the extra holes. Haag, who placed third, had a 70 to finish at 217. Wilson finished in a tie for fourth at 218 along with 2020 champ Robert Funk and Jim Plotkin.
“I just focused on playing my own game. Mark (Morgan) and Jeff (Wilson) are fantastic guys. They were wonderful to play with,” West said.
While Morgan lost, the Serrano CC member did pick up his own big prize. By virtue of his runner-up finish, Morgan took over the top spot in the standings to claim 2020-21 NCGA Senior Player of the Year honors.
About the NCGA Senior
First played in 1962, the NCGA Senior Championship is the association’s premier event for players aged 55 and over. The championship will be 54-holes of stroke play (18 holes per day). After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 30 individuals a...
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Oct 24, 2025All First Stage results now final — see who earned a spot in Second Stage on the road to the PGA TOUR.
RESULTS: Fifa Laopakdee Wins 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai
Oct 26, 2025Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee rallied from six shots back and beat Japan’s Taisei Nagasaki in a playoff
DP World Tour Qualifying School 2025: Road to the 2026 Season
Nov 6, 2025From local qualifiers to the Final Stage at Infinitum Golf, the DP World Tour Q School is where futures are made
DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage: The Last Step Toward the 2026 Season
Nov 9, 2025After two grueling stages across Europe, 156 players have reached the Final Stage at Infinitum Golf in Spain
Kai Trump to Make LPGA Debut at The ANNIKA as She Signs with Miami
Nov 10, 2025Kai Trump to make LPGA debut and commits to Miami in milestone week.