Emil Nielsen needed three extra holes and his best golf of the weekend, but he secured a huge confidence-boosting win heading into his first collegiate season.
Nielsen defeated Charlie Berridge in a three-hole playoff to win the 2024 California State Fair Men's Championship at Haggin Oaks, the Alister MacKenzie Course, in Sacramento, Calif., as he now heads to Santa Clara for his freshman season.
The Massachusetts native and IMG Academy graduate finished 12-under to tie Berridge for the lead at the end of regulation, and the two faced off in a playoff, where both Berridge and Nielsen birdied the first two holes, and Nielsen won with a third birdie as Berridge made a par.
"It was definitely nerve-wracking, but I managed to stay calm and was able to birdie all three holes," Nielsen said.
Nielsen carded rounds of 67-70-67, including a bogey-free 5-under 67 in the final round to get to 12-under.
"I didn't make many mistakes, but when I did, I recovered well from it," Nielsen said. "I hit my driver very well all tournament."
Berridge finished in solo second place, Ben Friedman finished in solo third place at 11-under. Friedman birdied holes No. 17 and 18 to get to one shot back of the leaders.
Daniel Heo, Charlie Chomyn, and Baron Szeto finished T4 at 10-under.
Now, Nielsen will head to Santa Clara in a couple of weeks to begin his collegiate journey.
"It definitely boosts my confidence knowing that I can beat some of the best college players already," Nielsen said. "I had a goal to win early and I did that."
The State Fair Men's Amateur Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious Amateur Championships in the West. It is limited to 108 players. The competition commences over a 54-hole stroke play format, with 18 holes played each day. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the lowest 36 players and ties.
Since its inception in 1932, Haggin Oaks has hosted dozens of PGA professionals. Players like Bill Glasson, Johnny Miller, and Bob Murphy have contributed to the storied history.
Ken Venturi won the 1950 California State Fair Championship here before going on to win 14 times on the PGA tour and moving on to the broadcast booth. Even the great Byron Nelson participated in the Sacramento Open at Haggin Oaks.
