April 26, 2016
Big Sur Flight champion Jon Swift and co-runner-ups Randy Shirbroun and Billy Witt
Big Sur Flight (9.3 handicap index-below)
Clovis resident Jon Swift posted a 5-under 67 at Bayonet Golf Course to finish at 2-under 141, coming from behind to win the title by two shots over San Francisco’s Randy Shirbroun and Billy Witt of Kelseyville.
The lone player to shoot in the 60’s, Swift penciled in three eagle and three birdies to go against just four bogeys in the finale. He’d entered the day four shots behind Witt, who had a final round 73. Shirbroun posted a 72.
Golden Gate Flight winner Carl Thoreson, runner-up Joshua Moore and third place finisher Roland Flores (left to right)
Golden Gate Flight (9.4-13.4 handicap index)
Concord’s Carl Thoreson, a volunteer NCGA tournament official, showed he’s got game himself. Thoreson posted a 71 to come in at 145 and defeat three players in the Golden Gate Flight.
Thoreson’s final round featured six birdies to go against five bogeys. He’d grabbed a share of the lead Monday after a 74 at par-71 Poppy Hills in blustery winds.
Shane McGowan of Rescue (67), Sacramento’s Joshua Moore (68) and Hayward’s Roland Flores (71) all came in tied for second at 147. Moore and Flores earned second and third place, respectively, after a card-off.
Yosemite Flight winner Clint Jones, runner-up Simon Tao and third place finisher Alicia Meiners (left to right)
Yosemite Flight (13.5-above handicap index)
Madera’s Clint Jones came up big when it counted. Jones carded a final round 5-under 67 to come in at 138 and win the Yosemite Flight with a two-day score of 5-under 138.
Jones’ round included two eagles and six birdies to go against three bogeys and a double-bogey.
Tao, who held a share of the first round lead, fell to second place at 141 after a 71. Meiners had a 70 to finish in a tie for third with Windsor’s Tom Osipowich at 144.
April 25, 2016
High winds were a big factor as the first round of the annual NCGA Public Links Net Championship got underway Monday at blustery par-71 Poppy Hills Golf Course. The second round will be held Tuesday at par-72 Bayonet GC.
Big Sur Flight (9.3 handicap index-below)
Kelseyville resident Billy Witt was the only player to break par, taking the lead with a stellar 1-under 70 that included seven birdies, three bogeys and a triple-bogey. Witt’s biggest run came on the back-nine, where he birdied holes No.13-No.16 in succession.
Randy Shirbroun of San Francisco is in second after a 71, while El Cerrito’s Robert Fernandes and Glen Gingrich of Martinez are T-3 after both came in at 73.
Golden Gate Flight (9.4-13.4 handicap index)
Carl Thoreson of Concord and Sacramento’s Stephen Ackley both grabbed a share of the lead after coming in with matching scores of 74.
Thoreson had a wild ride, posting an eagle and four birdies to go against three bogeys and three double-bogeys. Ackley was more steady, posting three birdies to go against three bogeys. Currently sitting alone in third place is Hayward’s Roland Flores, who shot a 76.
Yosemite Flight (13.5-above handicap index)
Two players—San Francisco’s Simon Tao and Ray Jones of Pebble Beach–managed to crack par and take a share of the lead, as both came in with matching scores of 70.
Tao, who won the Yosemite Flight at the NCGA Mixed Team Spring Championship with partner Melynda Li, had an eagle and four birdies to go against just one bogey and two double-bogeys. Jones had a more up and down day, posting an eagle and six birdies but also three bogeys and two double-bogeys.
Clint Jones of Madera is in third place at 71.
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