October 13, 2015
As expected, all three titles came down to the wire at the annual NCGA Net Amateur Championship at par-72 Poppy Ridge Golf Course.
In the Chardonnay Flight (handicap index 9.0-below), Tuscan Ridge GC member Richard Rutledge fired a final round 2-under 70 to come from a stroke back and edge runner-up David Dockendorf by one. Rutledge stumbled out of the gate with a triple-bogey, but from there he’d go 5-under thanks to a net eagle on the par-5 14th.
Chardonnay Flight champ Richard Rutledge, runner-up David Dockendorf and third place finisher Jeff Blanchard (left to right, not pictured T-3 Art Anderson).
Rutledge, who finished at 8-under 136, had six birdies on the day, including three straight from holes No.4 through No.6, to go against three bogeys.
Dockendorf, who plays out of Gilroy GCC and was hoping for a playoff, shot a day-low Chardonnay Flight low 68 that featured an opening net eagle on the 1st and six birdies to go against two bogeys and a double-bogey.
Both Art Anderson of Callippe Preserve and Jeff Blanchard of Morro Bay GC finished T-3 at 141 after matching final rounds of 71.
Over in the Merlot Flight (handicap index 9.1-13.5), Saratoga CC member John Moran also came from one off the lead to grab the victory. Moran posted a final round 68 to come in at 135 and edge runner-up Jim Creech of Table Mountain GC.
Merlot Flight champ John Moran, runner-up Jim Creech and third place finishers Walt Risse and Steve Pappas (left to right)
Moran, who’d opened with a 67, had an eagle on the par-5 9th and six birdies to offset a pair of bogeys and a double-bogey.
Creech, who led going into the finale after a 66, slipped back to second place after a 70. Creech also had an eagle (on the par-6th), but his five birdies would be offset by five bogeys.
Finishing in a tie for third at 138 were Walt Risse of Fountaingrove GAC and Steve Pappas of Bartley Cavanaugh GC following rounds of 67 and 70, respectively.
Zinfandel Flight champ Chuck Swenberg, runner-up Kory Bonner and third place finisher Richard Wilkins (left to right)
The Zinfandel Flight (handicap index 13.6-above) also went down to the wire.
There, Mill Valley GC member Chuck Swenberg posted a sizzling final round 66 to come from behind and edge runner-up Kory Bonner of Sharp Park GC by a shot.
Swenberg, who began the day six behind Bonner, was nearly flawless, penciling in seven birdies with a lone bogey to finish at 134.
Bonner, the leader after a red-hot 62, slipped back to second place after a 73.
Third place went to The Ridge GC’s Richard Wilkins, who finished at 137 after a 69.
October 12, 2015
A trio of players jumped into the lead in their respective divisions following Monday’s first round of the annual NCGA Net Amateur Championship at par-72 Poppy Ridge Golf Course.
In the Chardonnay Flight (handicap index 9.0-below), Todd Denbo of The Olympic Club grabbed the lead after posting a 7-under 65 on the Chardonnay/Zinfandel courses that featured two net eagles and six birdies to go against just three bogeys.
Denbo, however, has a lot of company right on his tail. Richard Rutledge, playing out of Tuscan Ridge GC, is just one behind after a 66 that included an eagle and seven birdies. Just two behind the leader is Dino Pizarro of De Laveaga GC, who shot 67.
Over in the Merlot Flight (handicap index 9.1-13.5), Jim Creech of Table Mountain GC is the guy to chase after he opened with a 66 that featured nine birdies to go against just three bogeys.
Like Denbo in the Chardonnay Flight, Creech too has a pack of players easily within striking distance. Mark Baca of Cameron Park GC and John Moran of Saratoga CC are both just one off the lead after shooting 67. Steve Pappas of Bartley Cavanaugh GC is also in the immediate mix after posting a 68.
The Zinfandel Flight (handicap index 13.6-above), on the other hand, is a little more wide open. There, Kory Bonner of Sharp Park grabbed a five stroke lead over the field after coming in with a 10-under 62. Bonner’s big day included a pair of eagles, 10 birdies to go with two bogeys and a double-bogey. On his back-nine, Bonner had a streak of six straight birdies from holes No.12 through No.17.
Dennis James of Golden Gate Par Chasers, Richard Baloga of Pacific Grove GL and Paso Robles GC member Mike Howe are all tied for second at 67.
Tuesday’s final round will tee off at 7:30 a.m.
