The AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic — founded more than 20 years ago by two-time California State Amateur champion Casey Boyns — returned to historic Old Del Monte Golf Course this weekend for its sold-out 2025 edition. The annual December staple once again drew a full 104-player field across Championship, Senior, and Net divisions, with additional Mid-Am, Super Senior, and Women’s prizes on the line.
Old Del Monte’s tight fairways, classic routing, and small greens have shaped this event’s identity for more than two decades, and Round 1 delivered the conditions and challenge players have come to expect as competitors chased position heading into Sunday’s final round.
Championship Division — Marez Opens With 68 to Take Command
Kavi Marez of Carmichael, Calif. set the early pace with an impressive 4-under 68, staking his claim at the top of the Championship Division and separating himself from a tightly packed group of challengers at 2-under-par.
| Pos. | Player | Total To Par | Thru (Rd 2 Tee Time) | To Par Gross | R1 | R2 | Total Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kavi Marez Carmichael, CA | -4 | 9:30 AM | – | 68 | 68 | |
| T2 | Zachary Hawkins Pebble Beach, CA | -2 | 9:30 AM | – | 70 | 70 | |
| T2 | Andrew McCormack Bakersfield, CA | -2 | 9:30 AM | – | 70 | 70 | |
| T2 | Will Hardy Walnut Creek, CA | -2 | 9:30 AM | – | 70 | 70 | |
| T5 | Jackson Suh Bellevue, CA | -1 | 9:20 AM | – | 71 | 71 | |
| T5 | Ian Fisher Dublin, CA | -1 | 9:20 AM | – | 71 | 71 | |
| T5 | Yuheng Li Pebble Beach, CA | -1 | 9:20 AM | – | 71 | 71 | |
| T8 | Trey Tuyo Agoura Hills, CA | E | 9:20 AM | – | 72 | 72 | |
| T8 | Nathan Lee San Ramon, CA | E | 9:10 AM | – | 72 | 72 |
After his round, Marez spoke highly of Old Del Monte’s setup, giving the classic layout plenty of credit for a day that rewarded precision and patience.
“Course was in great shape. Greens were very true, smooth as always. Fairways, pure — nice and tight. Rough was challenging but fair.”
One of the highlights of Marez’s day came on a gritty bogey save that kept his scorecard intact and his round trending in the right direction. His description of the putt shows the fine line between a big number and a momentum-saving result.
“It was about 20 feet. I played it breaking about four feet to the left. When I hit it, truth be told, I hit it too hard. Gave it too much pace — I knew if it was missing the hole it was going 10 feet by. But the hole caught it, and it was a really good bogey.”
Senior Championship Division — McCallister Opens with 73
Bob McCallister of Rancho Murieta, Ariz. leads the Senior Championship Division after posting a 73 (+1). His opening round gives him the edge in one of the event’s most competitive brackets, with a deep group of experienced players chasing from just a few shots back.
Net Division — Ordody Sets the Early Pace at +8
In the Net Division, Gyorgy Ordody of San Francisco turned in an 80 (+8) to take the first-round lead. With the Net field tightly bunched at the top of the leaderboard, any score in the 70s on Sunday could dramatically reshape the leaderboard.
Mid-Am (Ages 25–49) — McCormack Fires 70
Bakersfield’s Andrew McCormack holds the top spot in the Mid-Am subdivision after signing for a 2-under 70. His steady play not only leads the Mid-Am bracket but also keeps him firmly in contention near the top of the overall Championship leaderboard.
Super Senior (65+) — Gabelman Cards 74
In the Super Senior division, Andrew Gabelman of Barrington, Ill. opened with a 74 (+2), giving him the early advantage heading into the final round. His ability to navigate Old Del Monte’s demanding green complexes will be key to closing out the title.
Women’s Division — Lowe Leads with 77
Lexi Lowe of San Jose, Calif. posted a 77 (+5) to lead the Women’s Division after Day 1. With a solid number already on the board and a field of talented players behind her, Lowe is well-positioned to make a run at the Women’s trophy on Sunday.
Looking Ahead to the Final Round
With leaders established across every division and Old Del Monte poised to provide another firm, fair test, Sunday’s final round of the 2025 AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic is set up for a dramatic finish. Whether it’s Marez trying to convert his opening 68 into a Championship title, McCallister and Gabelman battling in the senior brackets, or Lowe and Ordody looking to close out their leads, there will be storylines to follow on every tee sheet as one of AmateurGolf.com’s most beloved traditions crowns its winners.
