August 10th – 14th
Poppy Hills GC & Spyglass Hill GC
(Pairings will be available on August 3rd)
Player Information / Pairings / Results
August 14, 2020
Jeff Burda added another part to what is already an incredible amateur resume’.
The now 67-year-old retired banker won the 5th annual NCGA Super Senior Amateur in his debut, defeating runner-up Rick Doebler, 1-up, in Friday’s finals at Spyglass Hill. Burda, who hails from Modesto, now has an NCGA win in six different decades, His first came at the NCGA Public Links Championship back in 1974. He also joined Gary Vanier atop all the all-time NCGA Senior record win list at 10.
“It’s hopefully the start of a great trophy. It already had great players in Ron Johnson and Frank Pieper,” Burda said. “It’s great to see Super Seniors being so competitive.”
The No.1 seed. Burda broke through for a 1-up lead after Doebler double-bogeyed the 16th. On the ensuing 17th, it appeared that Burda would possibly give the lead back after his second shot fell short of the green. He’d make a great up-and-down, however, to save par and tie the hole with Doebler, who had reached the green in regulation.
On the closing 18th, the No.10 seeded Doebler hit his second shot into the front greenside bunker on the right. He’d only be able to tie Burda with a par.
“That putt on 17 to save par was a big one,” Burda said. “You don’t want to go to the 18th hole tied after having been 1-up the hole before.”
While the putt on 17 was critical, Burda pointed to a 10-footer he made on the 15th as the biggest putt of the day. He’d make birdie there to tie the match.
“I’m most proud of the way I hung in there,” said Burda, who won the Senior Amateur in 2009. “I didn’t play well on the front.”
Doebler, also 67, lamented lost chances. But the Hacienda GC member also knew his competition would be tough.
“It was a good match,” said Doebler, who led from holes Nos. 11-14. “I felt fortunate to be competitive with Jeff.”
Rooting Burda along during the match was his son, Patrick. His daugher, Kelly, is due with what will be Burda’s first grandchild in November.
“It was really special having Patrick out there with me for the win,” Burda said.
Jeff Burda defeats Rick Doebler 2-up to win the NCGA Super Senior Amateur pic.twitter.com/RqqYSmzwOo
— NCGA (@ncga1901) August 14, 2020
Photo Gallery
August 13, 2020
It’ll be the NCGA vs. the SCGA in the finals of this week’s annual NCGA Super Senior Amateur Championship.
Modesto resident Jeff Burda and Rick Doebler of Fullerton advanced to Friday’s finals after wins in Thursday’s semifinals at Spyglass Hill. Burda defeated two-time champion Frank Pieper, 5 and 3, while Doebler knocked off Ken Noonan, 3 and 2.
With a win, Burda will tie Gary Vanier for the record for most career NCGA Senior victories at 10. A retired 67-year-old banker, Burda also would have the distinction of winning an NCGA event in six different decades. HIs first NCGA win came at the 1974 Public Links Championship.
“I’m happy to have reached the finals,” said Burda, who grew up in Santa Cruz before later moving to the Central Valley. “You want to play well.”
The No.1 seed, Burda has yet to play any hole further than the 15th in any of his matches. Against Pieper, he grabbed a 4-up lead through six and never looked back.
Doebler, also 67, said he loves coming up north for competitions. “There’s nothing I like more in the world than playing golf on the Monterey Peninsula,” said Doebler, a member at Hacienda Golf Club. “I’ve had a great time this week.”
The No.10 seed, Doebler took a 3-up lead after a birdie win on the 12th and a par win on the 13th. Noonan, a member at nearby Monterey Peninsula CC, was never able to close the gap.
Friday’s Super Senior final will tee off at 7:30 a.m.
Semifinals Photo Gallery
August 12, 2020
The semifinals are set at this week’s annual NCGA Super Senior Amateur Championship, and everyone who got there looks to have their game in tip-top shape.
Each of Wednesday’s quarterfinals turned out to be a wipeout.
No.1 seed Jeff Burda, who is making his championship debut, advanced to Thursday’s semifinals with a convincing 6 and 5 win over No.8 seed Michael Parnow. In his opening Round of 16 match, Burda won 6 and 4. With a win this week, Burda will have won an NCGA event in six different decades. He’ll also tie Gary Vanier (10) for the most NCGA Senior victories all-time.
Burda, who hails from Modesto, next will take on No.13 seed Frank Pieper. The No.13 seeded Pieper, a member at nearby Monterey Peninsula CC and a two-time winner of the event, moved on with a 5 and 4 win over Mike Ankrim.
The other semifinal will see No.3 seed Ken Noonan taking on No.10 Rick Doebler. Noonan, also a member at MPCC, moved on with a sharp 7 and 5 win over Neil Duffy. Doebler defeated two-time defending champion Ron Johnson, 5 and 4.
Now in its fifth year, only Pieper and Johnson have won the event.
Thursday’s semifinals will tee off starting at 8:06 a.m.
August 11, 2020
There was only one big upset as the Round of 16 of this week’s annual NCGA Super Senior Amateur Match Play Championship was held Tuesday at Poppy Hills Golf Course. But it could be argued it wasn’t an upset.
No.4 seed Dana Heald fell, 3-up, to No. 13 Frank Pieper. Thing is, Pieper is a two-time champion of the event.
Other matches on the day went to form. No.1 seed Jeff Burda, making his debut in the Super Senior division, knockedx out No.16 Mike Watney, 6 and 4.
Other opening day winners were defending champion and No.2 Ron Johnson and No.3 seed Ken Noonan. Johnson, the two-time defending champion, won his opening match, 6 and 5. Noonan, who knocked out David Schroeder, the brother of Poppy Hills GM Steve Schroeder, also won, 6 and 5.
Wednesday’s action will see the quarterfinals being held, with play moving over to Spyglass HIll.
August 10, 2020
Jeff Burda earned the No.2 seed, shooting a stroke play qualifying score of 1-over 72 at Poppy Hills on Monday.
The No.1 seed will be defending champion Ron Johnson, who was exempt from qualifying.
Ken Noonan and Dana Heald also will be top seeds after finishing with rounds of 75.
There’s only been two champions in the four-year history of the event. Frank Pieper and Johnson. Pieper also made it into the match play brackets after a 79.
The Round of 16 of match play will also be held at Poppy Hills on Tuesday before play shifts to Spyglass HIll.
