Two California Legends Pull Away at Alisal — With a Round Still to Settle It

The Ranch Course at Alisal doesn't usually host a heavyweight fight. But that's exactly what's taking shape here Wednesday, as Tim Hogarth and Randy Haag — two names that have defined California amateur golf on opposite ends of the state for the better part of three decades — climb to the top of the SCGA Senior Amateur board with the middle round in progress and the tournament still very much undecided.

Hogarth set the early pace with an opening 66 that nobody else in this field could touch, and he carries that into the second round at 9-under, three clear of the chase. Through four holes Wednesday he's holding even, looking every bit the player who once posted the lowest stroke-play round in U.S. Senior Amateur history. But Haag, as he tends to do, is already chipping away. The Orinda man is 2-under on his round through five and has the gap down to three. There's a full round left after this one — but anyone who's watched these two knows they're separating from the pack early, and that the real conversation is between them.