CARLSBAD, Calif (July 26, 2008) -- With gas prices, the economy, and a number of other factors reducing the number of golf rounds being played in 2008, it isn't surprising that some tournaments are finding that player reductions are becoming the norm. amateurgolf.com has seen two of our last events suffer a bit of summer doldrums (although we have not come close to canceling any event and have never fallen short of the minimum requirements to receive NCGA or NCGA Senior Points).

The aforementioned factors took a toll this year on The Contra Costa County Championship, scheduled for Aug 2-3 at Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek. The tournament has been cancelled as of Friday, July 25 and amateurgolf.com is seeing an influx of players for the Bay Regional.

If you would like a place to compete please either register online or call Trisha Williams at 408-406-2035. As of this posting we have 7 Seniors in the field, and 16-20 total spots available on a first-in basis. We can not hold extra spots for seniors waiting to see if we get to 12 senior player requirement for NCGA Points. But based on the cancellation of the Contra Costa tourney which had over 20 seniors, it is likely we can make our minimum.

Either way, Seniors and Championship players play from the same 6200 yard tees and compete for both titles simultaneously. We do have the Senior points available if we get to 12 players. Jim Williams (defending Senior Champ and near-winner of the overall title in 2006), John Enright, Ron Wiley, and several other strong players are ready to stand their ground and we hope you will come and join them.

As far as the overall championship goes- the so called "flatbellies" - we have a very strong 100 NCGA Point field that includes Scott Hardy, Patrick Pernice, Randy Haag, Chris Marin (Haag and Marin are tied at the top of the amateurgolf.com - Bridgestone Golf Tournament Series Rankings , by the way) and many more.

Jay Bayron of the Philippine National Team won't be back to defend his title (he turned pro), but six members of that team WILL be in the field as part of their summer competition in the USA.

Defending Champ Al Richardson will head a field of almost 30 Net Players that includes both Tilden Park "regulars" and those who have never seen the East Bay gem before.

Registration is available on:

http://www.amateurgolf.com/tour/schedule.asp

** or by calling Trisha Williams at 408-406-2035.