Our Southern California One Day Major was a great success last Saturday July 8th! 52 players from 5 states merged upon Ventura California a coastal harbor city with farming and industry. Set just 1/2 mile off the beach is Olivas Links Golf Club nestled into the water ways and farm country. The day was overcast but cleared off by 10am and it was a beautiful 83-degree day for golf. Our largest field of the season brought great anticipation as this tournament was set for double points, double the money, and double the fun! All Divisions were tightly contested, and Division 1 went to a playoff to determine our Open Champion.

Division 1

In Division 1, newcomer to the tour and recent member Mark Freie (Camarillo CA) jumped out to an early lead with a birdie on the first hole. He played steady and closed out his front nine in 37, just 1 over. Mark only recently having heart surgery just 5 months earlier was determined to go lower. Meanwhile tour regular Jarret Leon (Dana Point, CA) started off rough with bogey, double bogey, bogey! However, Jarret gathered himself and was able to shoot just one over for the remaining holes to close with a 77. Unfortunately for Jarret his bogey on the par 5 last hole cost him the outright win as Mark Freie was able to make par and set the two men up for a playoff at Division 1. Jarret was right off the tee into the native area and Mark was down the middle. Once arriving on the green Mark almost let Jarret back in the playoff when he went 8 ft left after his first put but was able to drain his 8ft par saving put to win the playoff and Open Championship in Division 1! Congrats on your win! Nathan Hoffman (Sherman Oaks, CA) was able to take third with a 79 after his second-place finish at the Rose Bowl.

Division 2

Division 2 tour veteran and new SoCal chapter owner Troy Shedeed (Temecula, CA) jumped out to -2 after five holes, and with his strong start held on to a 1 over front 9. Troy got into some trouble on the back nine going bogey, double bogey on 10 and 11 but held it together with some par saving putts and a birdie on 18 closed out his round with a 77. At that point all Division 2 players were still on the course and Aaron Alvarado (Montebello, CA), newcomer Eduardo Martinez (Oxnard, CA) along with Kyle Cardoza (Anaheim, CA) were all in contention. Eduardo ran into some trouble on hole 12. He was currently just two over par, but hole 12 bit him hard with a score of 12 after hitting 3 tee shots OB and ruining his chances of victory. Kyle and Aaron both had birdies and strong starts to their rounds. Kyle and Aaron both had a double bogey on their cards but neither were able to birdie 18, to finish 78 and 79 finishing second and third respectfully.

Division 3

Division 3 was our largest field of the day with 15 players vying for the Claret Jug Open trophy. This is our closest player of the year race and current leader Scott Chayayan Cessna (Anaheim CA.) turned in a score of 86 to finish fourth and collect $50. Northern California representative Felix Monjes (Tracy, CA) recently back in D3 had a good round of 85to take third place and $100. Kyle Mooney (Costa Mesa, CA) was on the par 5 18th green in 3 with a 12 foot putt for birdie to win the championship. He ran it past 3 ft only to miss his comebacker and take bogey putting him in second place and the prize money of $200. Unaware of any of this was 60+ member Richard Araiza (Santa Paula, CA) who was playing lights out and even with his bogey on 18 still was able to card an 83 and take first place and the $400 prize and claret jug!

Division 4

Levi Lynch (Las Vegas, NV) made the trip down and it was worth it, shooting a great round of 77 in Division 4!! Congrats on your probable promotion to D3 Levi! Current D4 points leader Dave Davidson (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) thought he had it won with a 79, which normally would have done it easily. To David and everyone elses surprise Levi’s 77 beat him out and David took 2nd and $175. Brandon Geier (Dana Point, CA) broke through and with an 83 took third place and his prize money earned him a tour membership! Welcome to the Apt Brandon!

Division 5

Division 5 Had one of its largest fields of the season and it was a close battle until the end, but a 92 by tour regular Teddy Abat (Porter Ranch CA.) was a 4-shot win for first place and the claret jug. Daniel Bird (Lancaster, CA) shot a 96 for second place and Dennis McZeal (Fontana, CA) last year’s Player of the year in D5 came in third.

Senior net

Our Senior net division saw Division 4 player Dave Davidson (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) with his gross score of 79 produce a net score of 67 and 5 under par to win the silver plate and $275 for 1st place! Division 2 winner Troy Shedeed (Temecula, CA) shot a net 72 and 2nd place and $125 and Todd Victoria and Blair Salisbury tied at 73 for third place.