NCGA Valley Amateur: Mike Perchak makes history in round one

August 29, 2023 | by Northern California Golf Association

Mike Perchak (Northern California Golf Association Photo)

Perchak shot a round of 12-under 61, the lowest in Northern California Golf Association championship history.

Mike Perchak has done something that no other NCGA player has ever done.

Competing at the NCGA Valley Amateur, Perchak posted a record first-round score of 12-under 61 at par-73 Dragonfly GC in Madera.

The course was playing at 6,867 yards. The previous all-time low for 18 holes for an NCGA championship was a 10-under 62 shot by Trevor Clayton at the 2014 NCGA Valley Amateur at the Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton.

"Holy moley!," Perchak said. "I'm a little speechless after this. I am so truly honored to have set the record. There have been so many great players that have competed in NCGA events."

The list of greats includes names such as Ken Venturi and Johnny Miller and fellow NCGA Hall of Famers Casey Boyns and Randy Haag.

A 33-year-old property manager from Alamo, Perchak opened his round with a blistering, seven-birdie 7-under 29 on his front-nine. After making the turn, he'd card a 32 after adding three more birdies and an eagle on the par-5 13th.

There, Perchak just missed out on going deeper with an albatross. His second shot, a 5-iron from 202 yards out, landed just 6 inches from the flagstick.

"The guys in my group thought it had gone in," Perchack said.

He'd hit all 18 greens in regulation, and not once faced a putt longer than 25 feet.

"I've been working so hard on my game. I just tried to stay one shot at a time," Perchack said. "After the front-nine 29, I told myself I was starting from scratch. Just using some little psychological tricks."

Results: NCGA Valley Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Michael Perchak	Alamo, CA	200	61-67=128
2	Mark Stephens	Redding, CA	140	67-65=132
3	Joey Hayden	Dublin, CA	80	69-64=133
4	Danny Paniccia	Fresno, CA	80	69-64=133
5	Mikey Burkland	Alamo, CA	80	67-67=134

View full results for NCGA Valley Amateur

About the NCGA Valley Amateur

NCGA Valley Amateur: Mike Perchak makes history in round one

Played for the first time in 2004 as a replacement for the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valley championships, the NCGA Valley Amateur has become a staple in the tournament season. The 36- hole stroke play event is played at a venue in the San Joaquin o...