San Francisco City: Hakim and Choe Share Medalist Honors

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (March 5, 2017) -- Multiple hail storms, 30 mph winds, and mud balls were just a few of the challenges players faced as they battled for one of 64 match play spots in the 2017 San Francisco City Amateur. For the second year in row, the medalist honors were shared by high school golfers at even-par 140. This year it is San Ramon's Ashkaan Hakim and Orinda's Brendon Choe. Hakim, a future St. Mary's Gael, and winner of the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic, fired back-to-back even-par rounds, his latest a 68 at Lincoln Park Golf Course. Choe has played very steady over two days, tallying three birdies, three bogeys, and the rest pars for rounds of 71 (Harding) and 69 (Lincoln). Some notable players to advance include: last year's semifinalist Ben Peters (143), 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur quarterfinalist Jason Anthony (147), 2016 California State Amateur semifinalist Sebastian Crampton (148), and last year's SF City runner-up Noah Sheikh (150). The cut to the low 64 fell at 14-over 154 with five players tied for the final two spots. The players included: Kyle Wilkinson, Andrew Bernick, Aditya Kumar, Stephen Molinelli, and Travis Peterson. Molinelli and Kumar dropped out so the three players battled it out on the 175 yard par-3 17th at TPC Harding Park. With the wind blowing hard into the players faces, none of the tee shots found the surface which left difficult chip shots. Bernick was first to play, flopping it to 15 feet. Peterson followed with a nifty flop to just six feet away. Lastly, Wilkinson hit a nice pitch and run to eight feet. No one made their putt for par. In fact, Peterson and Bernice each three putted which allowed Wilkinson to move on with a bogey. Now moving to the 18th hole, Bernick's tee shot deflected off a tree on the left hand side and found the hazard. Peterson was able to put it in play down the right, giving him the final match play spot. Match play will begin Saturday, March 11 and will be played entirely at TPC Harding Park.