Sawin rallies for second Stocker Cup title

By Chris Ceman

CARMEL, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2018) – Coming into Saturday’s final round of the Stocker Cup, 12 players were within five shots of the lead and all eyes were on the title. On a particularly challenging final day, where just ten players shot under par, John Sawin of Pebble Beach came from behind to hoist the Cup.

Despite a new role as Vice President and Director of Golf at Pebble Beach, Sawin hasn’t lost his game. He carded a 5-under 67—putting him at 9 under for the event, one clear of second place. Despite a pair of bogeys on the front nine, he put together five birdies and an eagle to capture the low round of the day—not to mention a great scorecard for him and partner Steve John in team play.

It was a little bit of déjà vu out there for the past champion as he battled his way back from a rocky start.

“I told my playing partners that I eagled No. 13 when I won this thing five years ago,” Sawin said. “That combined with my birdie on No. 16 were so big coming down the stretch.”

Three players came up just one shot short of Sawin, including Jonas Mikals of Truckee, Calif., Derek Meinhart of Mattoon, Ill., and second-round leader Brian Blanchard of Scottsdale, Ariz. Mikals carded a final-round, 4-under 68, Meinhart shot 2-under 70 and Blanchard finished with a 71.

Rounding out the top five was G. Davis Boland of Glenview, Ky., who put together an impressive final-round 69.

TEAM COMPETITION

Daniel Licursi & Brian Blanchard

In the team competition, second-round leaders Brian Blanchard and partner Daniel Licursi of Chandler, Ariz., put together yet another impressive round of 8-under 64 to win the gross division by four shots at 23 under par.

Behind Blanchard and Licursi, the now two-time Stocker Cup winner John Sawin and partner Steve John were second after a final-round 64 brought them to a tournament total of 19 under par.

In third place was Jason and Jack Anthony, the father-son duo from Fairfield, Calif. They carded a second consecutive round of 5-under 67 to finish at 17 under for the event.

Alan Dunckel & Derek Meinhart

In the team Net division, Derek Meinhart and partner Alan Dunckel of Monterey, Calif., finished with a commanding four-shot victory at 27-under par. They were ahead of Blanchard and Licursi in second. Behind them, a group of seven teams tied for third after finishing at 20 under par for the event.

SANDY TATUM TROPHY

Players over the age of 50 all compete for the Sandy Tatum Trophy, named after Northern California golf legend Sandy Tatum, who was a design consultant for The Preserve Golf Club and member of the Stocker Cup Tournament Committee before his passing last year.

Roger Newsom

This year’s winner was Roger Newsom of Virginia Beach, Va. with rounds of 71-70-72 to finish the event in a tie for 8th at 3-under par.

He finished two shots ahead of William Mitchell of Atlanta, Ga., who finished solo 12th at 1-under-par 215 for the tournament.

Michael Rowley of San Luis Obispo, Calif. was the third low 50+ player, finishing tied for 17th at 2-over 218.

SHOT OF THE DAY

Sam Nunes (R) and Adam Walicki

Long-time Stocker Cup participant and tournament supporter Sam Nunes had the shot of the day on Saturday, with an ace at the 6th hole.

It was his first ever hole-in-one, and what a place to get it!

Nunes, a 7 handicapper from Oakland, was the B player partner of Adam Walicki of Phoenix, Ariz., and helped Walicki by 19 shots over the course of the tournament.