Gama poised for runaway at SCGA Public Links

OXNARD, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2018) – Brandon Gama leads the SCGA Public Links after two rounds at River Ridge Golf Club. Gama, of Santa Barbara, Calif., managed to climb double digits in the red and has built a seven-shot lead through 36 holes.

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. At River Ridge, Gama started with a bogey-free 64 in the opening round. He had three bogeys in a second-round 69 on Saturday and stands at 11 under for the tournament.

Adam Navigato of Solano Beach, Calif., and Tongun Lako Losarah of Upland, Calif., are tied for second at 4 under. With Gama so far ahead, the championship has all but become a race for second place. Navigato might have gotten closer to Gama but for a triple-bogey at No. 13 followed by a bogey at No. 14 on Saturday. He closed with even-par 72.

Losarah, meanwhile, has had back-to-back rounds of 2-under 70.

John Skelton of Encinitas, Calif., went 4 under in his first five holes on Saturday and finished with 3-under 69. He is 3 under for the tournament, and tied for fourth with Timothy Snyder of Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Defending champion Brandon Mai is not in the field, but Tim Hogarth, one of the most acomplished Southern California amateurs in the field, is tied for 11th at 1 over.

The low 30 players and ties advance to Sunday’s final round.