The Player Information Sheet – Pairings – Results
September 30, 2014
Three players nabbed their first NCGA wins in the annual Associate Club Net Amateur Championship, which wrapped up Tuesday at par-72 Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore.
El Dorado Hills resident Chris Perry, who had never placed in five previous championship appearances, claimed the title in the Chardonnay Flight (9.9 handicap index or below), posting a final round 67 for a two-day total of 12-under 132. The Dot Squad member began the day two strokes behind first round leader Ron Hirschman of Koaches Golf Club.
“I was consistent,” said the 51-year-old Perry. “I didn’t make too many mistakes. Having never placed before, this feels real good.”
Chardonnay Flight champion Chris Perry.
Coming off a first round 65, Perry didn’t waste much time in making a run. He’d eagle the par-4 1st on the Chardonnay Course to quickly get to a total of 9-under. The rest of the way, he’d post four birdies and just one bogey. Over his 36 holes, Perry only made two bogeys.
Finishing second at 134 after his second straight 67 was Callippe Senior GC member Bob Mannina. Mannina carded eight birdies and three bogeys in the finale.
Coming in third in the Chardonnay Flight at 135 after a 69 was Hee Byun of Bennett Valley GC. Byun tried to make a push, carding eight birdies, but he also slipped with five bogeys.
In the Merlot Flight (10.0-14.3 handicap index), 56-year-old Fremont resident Eric Erickson fought through nerves to shoot a 10-under 62, good enough for a two-day score of 16-under 128 and the victory.
Erickson also came from behind to take the medal. It was the first time he’d ever competed in the Associate Club Net Amateur.
“I was sick to my stomach I was so nervous,” a relieved Erickson said. “I just told myself the old cliche’, ‘Just take it one shot at a time.”
Merlot Flight champion Eric Erickson.
Playing out of Hi Holer GC, Erickson didn’t appear to be anxious. On the course he’d rack up 11 birdies to go with just one bogey. On his back-nine (the Zinfandel course front-nine), Erickson at one point made four birdies in a row.
First round leader Jim Pacini of District 6 Caltrans GC, who had opened with a 63, was limited to a Tuesday 67. While Pacini penciled in two eagles and five birdies, he was slowed down by two bogeys and a critical double-bogey on the par-5 8th on the Zinfandel course.
Ron Villa of Par Valley GC placed third at 135 following a 68 that featured six birdies but also two bogeys.
In the Zinfandel Flight (14.4 handicap index and above), 62-year-old Kevin O’Leary of Martinez finally got his turn at the top.
Coming off a first round 68, O’Leary turned on the jets, posting a 63 of his own to claim a two-stroke victory. Last year, he finished second while competing in the Merlot Flight.
“I’ve played in a lot of these so this feels wonderful,” said O’Leary, who nearly carded an ace on the par-3 2nd hole on the Zinfandel course.
Zinfandel Flight champion Kevin O’Leary.
Edward Claessen of Caddy Club of Pebble Beach placed second in the Zinfandel Flight, carding a 68 to finish at 133.
Three players–Ron Conway of Sacramento Nomads Golf, Jeff Kahn of Rolmex GC and Joe Cruz of Par Valley GC— all finished in a tie for third at 135. Conway had the low round of the day, a 61. Kahn shot a 66 and Cruz had a 71.
September 29, 2014
It was just day one, but a number of players put themselves in good positions following Monday’s first round of the annual NCGA Associate Club Net Amateur Championship.
Playing at par-72 Poppy Ridge Golf Course (front-9’s of the Chardonnay and Zinfandel courses), Ron Hirschman of Koaches Golf Klub took the lead in the Chardonnay Flight (9.9 handicap index or below) by posting a first round score of 9-under 63. Hirschman’s day included four eagles and four birdies. He had a chance to go even lower, but was tripped up by three bogeys.
Tied for second in the Chardonnay Flight after matching 65’s are Randall Spears of SRI GC and Chris Perry of Dot Squad. Spears had an eagle, nine birdies and four bogeys. Perry posted an eagle, six birdies and a bogey.
Hee Byun of Bennett Valley GC is in fourth place at 66, while Bob Mannina of Callippe Senior GC is in fifth place at 67.
Sixty three was also the magic number in the Merlot Flight (10.0-14.3 handicap index). Jim Pacini of District 6 Caltrans GC took the lead with a 63 that featured a pair of eagles, eight birdies and just three bogeys.
Ted Goode of University of Calif GC is alone in second in the Merlot Flight at 65. Goode’s day included three eagles, five birdies and four bogeys.
In third place at 66 is Eric Erickson of Hi Holers GC. Three players–Larnold Jones of Pgg Rancho Canada GC, Ron Villa of Par Valley GC and Randy Nelson of Castle Oaks GC–are tied for fourth at 67.
Over in the Zinfandel Flight (14.4 handicap index or above), the best was saved for last.
Hans Schiesser of Pin High GC, who was the last player to turn in his card, took the lead with a 63 of his own that included three eagles, five birdies and two bogeys.
In second place is Joe Cruz of Par Valley GC, who shot a 64 that featured an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey.
Coming in with a 65, and just two off the lead, was Edward Claessen of Caddy Club of Pebble Beach. Claessen put together an eagle and eight birdies but he also had a bogey and costly double-bogey.
Tuesday’s final round is slated to begin at 8 a.m.
