Gama completes five-shot SCGA Public Links victory

OXNARD, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2018) – Brandon Gama went 17 holes without a birdie in the final round of the SCGA Public Links, but when you start the day with a seven-shot lead, that’s not detrimental. Gama, of Santa Barbara, Calif., still easily won the championship.

Gama opened with rounds of 64-69 at River Ridge Golf Course, and at 11 under through 36 holes, led by seven shots. He finished with a 1-over 73 on Sunday and still was five shots ahead of runner-up Tongun Lako Losarah.

Gama is a former member of the Chico State men’s golf team. He won the Santa Barbara City Championship in 2008 at a record 17 under par.

Losarah, the runner-up from Upland, Calif., was one of the few players who had a round in the red on Sunday. He finished with 1-under 71 to reach 5 under for the tournament. Timothy Snyder of Thousand Oaks, Calif., finished solo third at 3 under.

Tim Hogarth, who won this event in 1998, ’99 and 2011, climbed a few spots on the leaderboard with his final-round 2-under 70. He tied for sixth at 1 under.