Ryder Epson's shot in the dark secures Yorba Linda City Championship

March 19, 2023 | by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com

Ryder Epson

Former Long Beach State takes the title with an improbable birdie putt on the second playoff hole

With the Black Gold Golf Club engulfed in near-complete darkness early Sunday evening, it was hard enough for Ryder Epson to see his ball and the proper line as he faced a 40-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to win Yorba Linda (Calif.) City Championship.

And there was a slimmer chance Epson saw the ball drop into the cup that delivered the former Long Beach State golfer the title.

Thanks to a double bogey on the 16th hole, Epson found himself tied at the end of regulation with 2019 Southern California Mid-Amateur champion Damon Krause at 1-under 143. The championship still hung in the balance after the first extra hole and with darkness setting in, both players faced improbable birdie putts on the second playoff hole.

A third playoff hole was likely not in the equation, so Epson took matters into his own hands to assure there wouldn't be a Monday finish by dropping a 40-foot bomb for birdie in the darkness to win the championship.

It was the best shot he never saw.

Shelly Haywood (151), last year's SCGA Senior Women's Player of the Year, successfully defended her women's championship while Gregory Soto won the senior championship.

Results: Yorba Linda City

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Ryder Epson	Long Beach, CA	75	71-72=143
2	Damon Krause	Los Angeles, CA	50	72-71=143
3	Ethan Thomas	Buena Park, CA	25	71-74=145
4	Bradley Smolinski	Rancho Santa Margarita, CA	25	75-71=146
T5	Garrett Boe	Clovis, CA	25	78-69=147

View full results for Yorba Linda City

About the Yorba Linda City

Ryder Epson's shot in the dark secures Yorba Linda City Championship

36-hole individual stroke play tournament open to all amateur golfers with a USGA handicap index and who are 15 years of age or older. Players will be assigned to flights based on their handicap index. Exact size and handicap range for each flight is...