Gearhart wins Northern California Public Links

Atascadero resident Jeremy Gearhart may want to play at Poppy Hills a little more often. On Tuesday, Gearhart, who plays out of Chalk Mountain GC, captured the NCGA Public Links Championship after defeating runner-up Jason Herrera on the first hole (No.1) of a sudden-death playoff. The event marked the first time that Gearhart, a 39-year-old project manager for MGE Underground, had played Poppy Hills since the course was re-modeled in 2014. "It feels awesome, I was super stoked to play in my first Public Links," said Gearhart, who placed second back at the 2007 NCGA Amateur. "Today everything was firing on all cylinders and I was able to putt well, which is what you need to play well here." Gearhart's final round was one for the books. He posted a tourney-low 4-under 67 despite rain and at times strong winds to finish regulation at 1-over 143. Herrera, a 34-year-old accountant from Sacramento, was the first-round leader following a 70. In the playoff, Herrera's drive faded a bit too far, nearly entering the penalty area. He was able to hit but had a horrible lie. His second shot would fly right deeper into the woods. leading to a double bogey. Gearhart, meanwhile, got on in two, eventually two-putting for a par and the win. "I hit a bad drive. At least he (the tournament official) was able to find it," Herrera said. "Jeremy's 67 in that weather though...that was pretty good." The tall, 6-foot-5 Gearhart was a machine in the finale, hitting 17 of 18 greens in regulation while missing only one fairway. His big push came with a string of three straight birdies from holes No.9 through No.11. "These are the events you want to win as an NCGA player," Gearhart said. "I have to say a big thank you to the Chalk Mountain men's club for all of their support over the years." Third place went to Jordan Hashimoto at 145 after a 69.