Mid-amateur Scotland Schmidt wins San Diego Amateur

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

Jim Plotkin 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.