Anderson breaks through at NCGA Senior Amateur
8/19/2022 | by Northern California Golf Association
Finally, the 59-year-old Bakersfield resident has an NCGA title he can call his own
Bakersfield resident Scott Anderson had close calls before.
Two years ago he reached the quarterfinals of the NCGA Senior Amateur but then lost. In 2017, meanwhile, he made a charge before finishing tied for third at the California Senior Amateur at Pauma Valley Country Club.
Finally, the 59-year-old has an NCGA title he can call his own.
Anderson captured the Senior Amateur Match Play title, defeating runner-up Jeff Thomas, 4 and 3 in the 18-hole finale Friday at Spyglass Hill. While Anderson already had an NCGA title under his belt, it was a team title, that one coming when he and partner Mark Pavletich won the 2014 Mid-Amateur Four-Ball crown.
"It feels great. It's a long week. I made a lot of pars," Anderson said. "This is the biggest win I've ever had."
Anderson came up big when he had to. The No.16 seed started match play by eliminating No.1 seed and former two-time Randy Haag. A round later, he sent 2020 champion Rich Petit home.
Against Thomas, Anderson went to work early, building a 3-up lead through nine thanks to a front-nine score of even-par. At the same time, Thomas, the No. 31 seed, went 4-over.
After making the turn, Anderson just kept on making pars. six to be exact. While Thomas got one hole back with a birdie, the onslaught was too much to overcome.
"It's just about staying focused and trying to make par and not making mistakes," said Anderson, who was making only his second appearance in the event."
Two years ago he reached the quarterfinals of the NCGA Senior Amateur but then lost. In 2017, meanwhile, he made a charge before finishing tied for third at the California Senior Amateur at Pauma Valley Country Club.
Anderson captured the Senior Amateur Match Play title, defeating runner-up Jeff Thomas, 4 and 3 in the 18-hole finale Friday at Spyglass Hill. While Anderson already had an NCGA title under his belt, it was a team title, that one coming when he and partner Mark Pavletich won the 2014 Mid-Amateur Four-Ball crown.
"It feels great. It's a long week. I made a lot of pars," Anderson said. "This is the biggest win I've ever had."
Anderson came up big when he had to. The No.16 seed started match play by eliminating No.1 seed and former two-time Randy Haag. A round later, he sent 2020 champion Rich Petit home.
Against Thomas, Anderson went to work early, building a 3-up lead through nine thanks to a front-nine score of even-par. At the same time, Thomas, the No. 31 seed, went 4-over.
After making the turn, Anderson just kept on making pars. six to be exact. While Thomas got one hole back with a birdie, the onslaught was too much to overcome.
"It's just about staying focused and trying to make par and not making mistakes," said Anderson, who was making only his second appearance in the event."
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