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see also: Bob Niger, View results for California Senior Amateur, Valley Club of Montecito
Robert Niger beat hometown favorite Bobby Schaeffer on the first playoff hole to win the California Senior Amateur at 11-under.
MONTECITO, Calif. — November 12, 2025
Robert Niger capped off three rounds of elite ball-striking with a playoff birdie on the first extra hole, securing the California Senior Amateur Championship at The Valley Club of Montecito. Niger and Santa Barbara’s Bobby Schaeffer both posted a 54-hole total of 11-under 205, forcing the first playoff in the event since the rotation expanded more than a decade ago.
Niger, who opened the week with rounds of 71–66, produced another steady performance with a 68 in Wednesday’s final round. He turned at 35 before igniting his back nine with birdies at Nos. 12, 15, and 17, giving himself the clubhouse lead at 205.
Schaeffer, playing with immense home-course comfort, countered with a 67 that included a fearless finish. After making bogey at No. 15, he rallied with clutch birdies at 16 and 18, the final circle dropping from outside 12 feet to tie Niger and force the playoff.
The two returned to the par-4 1st hole, where Niger found the fairway and flighted a crisp wedge inside 10 feet. Schaeffer’s approach finished on the fringe, and after his birdie try missed, Niger buried the putt to clinch the championship.
Mike Rowley closed with a strong 67 to finish solo third at 8-under 208. Former champion Craig Davis and NCGA Senior Player of the Year Steve Sear tied for fourth at 7-under 209. A tightly packed group finished at 2-under 214, including Mike Stieler (65), Tim Hogarth (69), Mark Nickeas (70), Dan Sullivan (72), and John Adams (74).
| Pos. | Player | To Par | R1 | R2 | R3 | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Robert Niger (Roseville, CA) | -11 | 71 | 66 | 68 | 205 | Won on first playoff hole |
| 2 | Bobby Schaeffer (Santa Barbara, CA) | -11 | 72 | 66 | 67 | 205 | Runner-up (playoff) |
| 3 | Mike Rowley (San Luis Obispo, CA) | -8 | 71 | 70 | 67 | 208 | |
| T4 | Craig Davis (Chula Vista, CA) | -7 | 71 | 68 | 70 | 209 | |
| T4 | Steve Sear (Washoe Valley, NV) | -7 | 73 | 67 | 69 | 209 | |
| T6 | Mike Stieler (Ripon, CA) | -2 | 75 | 74 | 65 | 214 | |
| T6 | Tim Hogarth (Northridge, CA) | -2 | 74 | 71 | 69 | 214 | |
| T6 | Mark Nickeas (Thousand Oaks, CA) | -2 | 77 | 67 | 70 | 214 | |
| T6 | Dan Sullivan (Pasadena, CA) | -2 | 68 | 74 | 72 | 214 | |
| T6 | John Adams (San Clemente, CA) | -2 | 69 | 71 | 74 | 214 |
Robert Niger — 71, 66, 68 (205)
Final round highlights: birdies at 2, 4, 12, 15, 17; key par save on 18.
Bobby Schaeffer — 72, 66, 67 (205)
Final round highlights: birdies at 1, 4, 10, 13, 16, 18; the 18th-hole birdie forced the playoff.
Niger now joins an elite list of California Senior Amateur champions and adds another accomplishment to a season already defined by consistent, high-level senior golf.
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roseville, CA | 700 | 71-66-68=205 | |
| 2 | La Quinta, CA | 400 | 72-66-67=205 | |
| 3 | San Luis Obispo, CA | 300 | 71-70-67=208 | |
| T4 | Chula Vista, CA | 300 | 71-68-70=209 | |
| T4 | Washoe Valley, NV | 300 | 73-67-69=209 |
The California Senior Amateur Championship began in the fall of 1992, and is the state championship for players age 55 and over. The first two tournaments were played at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. In 1994, the event was moved to Poppy Hills Golf Cour...
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