Trae Cassell of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., was the lone golfer to shoot under par at the 2024 California Senior Amateur Championship, finishing 2-under and winning by four shots at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, the Dunes Course, in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Cassell put together rounds of 77-66-71 to secure the win
"In the first and third rounds, the wind blew like crazy and in different directions," Cassell said.
"When the wind picked up the first day, I was searching for something in my golf swing to be able to control the ball better and make better contact," Cassell said. "Whatever it was that I found, I was able to maintain through the final two rounds."
He found something indeed, recording seven birdies and one bogey in his 6-under 66 second round to shoot an eleven-shot difference. He also took advantage of a longer golf course.
"It played the longest on the second day, which played into my strengths," Cassell said. "I don't mind grinding, and I think with the wins and the golf course design, it is a grinders golf course."
Cassell added, "You must focus on every shot and be mindful of where you hit your approach shots into the greens."
He held off the 2023 champion, Craig Davis of Chula Vista, Calif., who finished T2 at 2-over with rounds of 77-72-69. John Adams of San Clemente, Calif., finished T2 with Davis at 2-over.
Davis is ranked No. 54 in the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings and Adams won the 2023 SCGA Senior Amateur, where Davis was also the runner-up.
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Only six rounds under par were recorded, two of which came from Cassell.
"I had a good week mentally; I was able to maintain my focus," Cassell said.
Dan Sullivan of Pasadena, Calif., finished in solo fourth place at 5-over, and Casey Boyns of Monterey, Calif., finished in solo fifth place at 6-over,
It is good to know you can play with those guys, and the only way to learn that is to go out there and play with them," Cassell said. "There is no question it will give me some confidence going forward and something to build on playing more senior amateur golf."
The California Senior Amateur Championship, which began in the fall of 1992, is the state championship for players aged 55 and over.
The first two tournaments were played at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. In 1994, the event was moved to Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, and in 1995, a simultaneous NCGA vs. SCGA team portion of the championship was added.
In 2010, this 54-hole stroke play championship started rotating to selected courses throughout the state.