Annual Alameda Commuters Championship Begins This Weekend
April 15, 2015
The annual Alameda Commuters Championship, which tees off this weekend Chuck Corica Golf Complex in Alameda, has certainly come a long way.
Back when it was first held in 1928, the winner got a keg of nails. The last place finisher, meanwhile, was awarded with a sack of manure.
Nowadays, it’s one of the most prestigious amateur events in Northern California, bringing out some of the best amateurs in the region.
Among those slated to tee off in this year’s rendition are 2014 NCGA Player of the Year Trevor Clayton, Player of the Year runner-up Jason Anthony, five-time Commuters champion Rick Reinsberg and defending champion Jonathan De Los Reyes.
De Los Reyes, a senior at St. Mary’s, was a buzz saw at the 2014 championship.
The then-20-year-old didn’t just win the championship by 11 strokes. His four-day total of 18-under 266 (68-67-64-67) tied the tournament record for low score, set by former NorCal amateur great and current PGA Tour member Matt Bettencourt in 2002.
“I was just doing everything right,” De Los Reyes said afterwards. “My consistency and course management fit well with this event.”
While defending champion Casey Boyns is not competing this year, the Senior Championship field is also loaded.
There,players include record four-time defending NCGA Senior Player of the Year Jim Knoll, recent San Francisco City and two-time Senior champ Gary Vanier and San Francisco City Super Senior runner-up Herb Jensen.
Play begins Saturday with the second round to be held on Sunday. Play will then wrap up the weekend of April 25-26.
Due to construction of the new Jack Clark South Course, all tournament play will be held on the Earl Fry North Course.
For more information on the championship, please visit www.alamedacommuters.org.
–Jerry Stewart
