Dachtler paces Stocker Cup Qualifiers at Pasatiempo

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2011) -- After a slow start on the front nine, Dennis Dachtler of Folsom got hot on the back nine and took Medalist honors at the Stocker Cup Qualifier at Pasatiempo.

Dachtler, a wealth manager who plays out of Rancho Murieta Country Club, birdied 4 out of the first 5 holes on the back, ignoring the fact that the homeward nine is supposed to be tougher than front.

A birdie on the difficult 10th set Dachtler going, and although he bogeyed the treacherous 11th, he reeled off three- straight birdies on 12, 13, and 14 and made just one bogey -- on Dr. Mackenzie's favorite, No. 16 -- coming in.

Grabbing the second guaranteed position in the Stocker Cup field was Steve Argo, a regional operations manager with Kemper Sports (75).

Ben Hunter of Davis won the last spot via a sudden-death playoff with Tom McKee of Carlsbad. Davis got up and down from left of the green on the tough first hole, with darkness and a light shower setting in. Prior to the playoff, PGA Tour player Scott McCarron (who was out with a charity group run by Steve Elkington) saw the guys getting serious on the first tee and said "Stocker Cup playoff? - good luck!"

- The Stocker Cup will be contested Oct. 27- 30 at the Preserve Golf Club in Carmel.

Qualifiers and Alternates are listed below. A full list of scores can be accessed by clicking on the results link at the bottom of the page.

QUALIFIERS:

-- 73 --
Dennis Dachtler, Folsom, Calif.

-- 75 --
Steve Argo, San Jose, Calif.

-- 76 --
Ben Hunter, Davis, Calif. *
Tom McKee, Carlsbad, Calif. (1st alternate)
Mike Wozniak, San Luis Obispo, Calif. (2nd alternate)

* won sudden-death playoff