San Diego Amateur winner Scotland Schmidt
On a day that matched the weather in his first name's country,
Scotland Schmidt of San Diego shot a final round 68 to claim the San Diego Amateur title by two strokes.
It was the second-straight year that a mid-amateur player has taken the title at the historic San Diego Country Club.
Schmidt opened the day two strokes behind San Diego State golfer
Liam Koeneke, who fired 6-under 66 on a glorious weather day in round one. But the weather in round two made a 180-degree turn, and it looked more like Scotland than San Diego with intermittent rain and steady winds.
Enter the experienced mid-amateur Schmidt, an admitted "late bloomer" competing with D1 collegiate golfers like Koeneke. Schmidt made the turn in 2-under 34, taking the lead over from Koeneke. He sealed the deal with a birdie on 15 and chip-in eagle on 16 followed by another birdie on No. 17.
With the rain coming down hard and fast, Schmidt had a three-shot lead on the 18th tee, and a bogey was enough for a two-stroke victory.
Schmidt's total of 8-under 136 was especially solid given the second-round conditions. Koeneke recovered on the back nine with a 2-under 34 to shoot even par on the day and finished in solo second at 6-under 138.
Zack Missigman of Goodyear, Ariz., who plays for St. Mary's College, finished in third place at 3-under 141.
L-R: Jim Plotkin, David Ujihara, Maurice Choi of Carlsbad brought home his second AmateurGolf.com San Diego senior title in a playoff over
Steve McPherson of Hemet. Plotkin, who also won the San Diego Amateur at Aviara in December, opened with a 70 and finished the final round at 79, opening the door for McPherson.
On the first playoff hole -- the difficult par-4 10th at San Diego CC -- Plotkin drove it in the center of the fairway while McPherson's drive trickled into the fairway bunker into an unplayable lie. It was a tough break that Plotkin was able to take advantage of.
David Ujihara of Brea posted 7-over 151 to win the super senior title;
Maurice Choi of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. posted 4-over net to win the net division crown.
ABOUT THE AGC San Diego Amateur
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*An SCGA Points Event*
The San Diego Amateur now has a second
location, the historic San Diego Country Club. Players
will be treated to a very walkable private club that
has
hosted USGA and major collegiate events, and
where legends like Billy Casper and Mickey Wright
called home.
Your entry fee includes 2 rounds of golf (carts
extra on this very walkable layout), prizes,
trophies for division winners, and
the opportunity to play two days at an exclusive
private club in
a competitive setting. Championship, Senior,
Women, and Net divisions.
Note that, for this event, practice round
availability is not guaranteed.
MID-AM DIVISION: 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 10 Mid-
Ams, a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded.
SUPER SENIORS: For players age
65+. Compete alongside the younger players in
the
Senior Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded for
low
super senior.
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