AG San Diego Am: Dylan VanderVeer, Ben Soicher share title

December 14, 2021 | by Pete Wlodkowski of AmateurGolf.com

San Diego Amateur co-champions Dylan VanderVeer (left) and Ben Soicher<br>AmateurGolf.com photo

When a much needed heavy California rain comes at the wrong time, the second round is washed out at Carlsbad's Aviara Golf Club

At AmateurGolf.com, we're always pulled in two different directions when it comes to rain. On the one hand, California is in a severe, prolonged drought. We need really need help from Mother Nature.

But on the other hand, we run a "Winter Tour" which requires us to dodge occasional California storm, which -- knock on wood -- we have been able to do pretty effectively over the 20 years we've been doing this.

But not today. over 75 of the original 83 player field showed up and gave it the old college try, but in the end, the meteorologists were right, and by 11:00 am it turned into a day that only the bishop in Caddyshack could score on. Conditions got dangerous, and there was standing water on the greens as well. So the round was called off.

Players were paid prizes and trophies based on round one scores.

ROUND ONE STORY

Take some time off from the game -- it might do you wonders.

That was the word from AmateurGolf.com San Diego co-leader Dylan VanderVeer, who posted 2-under 70 at Carlsbad's Aviara Golf Club to tie Ben Soicher of Mill Valley for the early lead.

"I haven't played golf in over a month," said VanderVeer, a St. Mary's College golfer from Corona Del Mar. "That was my secret."

It might seem ridiculous to prepare for a tournament by not playing, but should VanderVeer bring home the title on Tuesday, he might start a trend. Today, any rust in VanderVeer's game got shaken off quickly with a bogey on his first hole, the par-5 10th.

From there, it was back to his normal aggressive style of play, with four birdies on the rest of the back nine for a 2-under 34. An even-par front nine gave VanderVeer his 2-under 70 and share of the lead with Ben Soicher.

The easy-going Soicher birdied No. 10 -- like VanderVeer he started on the back -- but made a couple of bogeys before a birdie on the toughest 18th hole in San Diego righted the ship. Soicher's second nine was flawless, with 7 pars and back-to-back birdies on Nos. 2 and 3.

The leading duo is trailed by Darren Chiu and Nick Woo, who both posted 1-under 71, and a trio of golfers at even-par 72.

MID-AM DIVISION

Jay Harris

Forbes Collins II of Lake Forest and Jay Harris of Beverly Hills shot 73 to pace the Mid-Am division for players 25 and over. Playing the same tees as the younger players in the Championship flight, both are within striking distance of the overall title as well. Collins, a regular in AmateurGolf.com tournaments, has been on a bit of a "USGA roll" -- he qualified for the 2019 and 2021 U.S. Mid-Amateurs as well as the 2022 USGA Four-Ball.

Collins, known for his length, hit a couple of bombs today -- a drive to within 30 yards of the green on No. 12 and a 3-wood over the cart path that crosses the fairway on No. 15, leaving him just 100 yards from the green.

SENIOR and SUPER-SENIOR DIVISIONS

Todd Sincock (left) and Patrick Rohan

Todd Sincock (Santa Ana), Shane McMillan (Bountiful, Utah), and Patrick Rohan (San Diego) all posted 2-over 74 to pace the Senior Division. Rohan, 72 also holds the Super-Senior lead (for players over 65) and came within two strokes of shooting his age.

Results: AmateurGolf.com San Diego Amateur North

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
T1	Ben Soicher	Mill Valley, CA	75	70
T1	Dylan VanderVeer	El Dorado Hills, CA	75	70
T3	Nick Woo	Greenbrae, CA	25	71
T3	Darren Chiu	Oak Park, CA	25	71
T5	Mikey Slesinski	Fremont, CA	25	72

View full results for AmateurGolf.com San Diego Amateur North

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AG San Diego Am: Dylan VanderVeer, Ben Soicher share title

*An SCGA Points Event* The San Diego Amateur returns to Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad. Once again we are going to be treated like pros at one of the best venues in Southern California, Aviara Golf Club -- as seen on TV during the LPGA's Kia Classic pl...