In Monterey, Mikey Burkland takes first round lead at AG Christmas Classic
Mikey Burkland - wet but still smiling
Recent St. Mary's University graduate Mikey Burkland fired 3-under 69 to take the first-round lead at the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic, presented by Callaway Golf.
Burkland, who started off on the back nine, made a game plan to conquer the rain by playing steady, and when he reeled off seven-straight pars, he knew it was working.
"I knew that everybody else was going to be facing the same conditions," said Burkland. "So I stayed patient and focused on making pars."
He turned up the heat a bit with birdies on Nos. 17 and 18, turning in 2-under 34 before suffering his lone bogey of the day on No. 2. With the rain increasing in intensity, Burkland again made a run of pars with five more and birdied Nos. 8 and 9 to shoot 3-under 69.
Giving chase are Mason Benbrook of Carmichael (2-under 70) and four players who shot 1-under 71 -- Nathan Jetton (Bandon, OR); Michael Carrillo (Chualar); Daren Johnson (Covina) and Cameron Keith of Alamo.
There were ten championship flight players at par or better, which speaks volumes about the quality of the field that made their way to Monterey to play the toughest 6300-yard course you'll run up against.
Playing the same tees as the younger players, Jeff Weiss of Roseville posted an impressive 1-under 71 to pace the Senior Division. Steve Schroeder of Monterey is a stroke back at even par 72, while Andy Gabelman of Carmel and Casey Boyns of Monterey are tied at 75. Boyns, it should be noted, is the tournament's founder, which many still refer to as the "Caseys."
Sylvia Chu of San Mateo posted 1-over 73 to lead the Net Division over Tom Natividad of Walnut Creek, who posted 75.
Tomorrow's final round will tee off at 8:00 am.
ABOUT THE AGC Christmas Classic
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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