Division 2: Three players were alive in the points race for Player of the Year in Division 2 entering the Tour Championship at Monarch Beach. Troy Sheeded had a slender advantage over Twon Fullman (who controlled his own destiny) and Chris Hanson (needed some help). However, the other competitors had plenty to play for with a $250 Visa Gift Card and the Tour Championship trophy on the line, and Hunter Thain was committed to playing spoiler. He and Matthew Knowles jumped in front at the turn after matching 36’s. Matt birdied his 10th hole to take a one shot lead, but found trouble on the oceanside holes whereas Hunter was able to limit the damage through that stretch. Troy got off to a rough start, complicating the POY race, particularly with Twon in striking distance after his first nine. One group ahead, Zach Gentry put his name in the mix with three straight birdies to close the round and take the lead in the clubhouse at 78. Despite a double bogey on his 16th hole, Hunter was able to par the last two and post 77 for the one shot win! Zach earned a $70 Visa Gift Card for his second place finish. The drama did not conclude, however, as Twon’s 81 was good enough for 3rd alone- meaning Troy needed to finish in a two way tie for fourth or better to claim the POY title. It came down to the final putt for par by Troy- make and he’s the POY, miss and Twon claims the title. He made the par putt and earned SoCal Division 2 POY with it!

Division 3: September has been a great month on course in for John Dwyer III. He traveled to the two day major at Chambers Bay and made his presence known, ultimately finishing in a tie for 3rd (including a hole in one worth $500 as a member of the hole in one club!) good for enough points to take the lead in the season long SoCal APT Player Of the Year race in Division 3. However, FIVE players were still mathematically alive for the POY title teeing off Sunday. One of those players, Craig Ogden Jr, turned in 36 to put the pressure on Dywer who put up his own 37 to sit second at the turn. Craig dropped back on the back 9 but Logan Calvin and Kyle Cardoza took up the chase, and it was Kyle who finished strongest- posting par-birdie-par-birdie on the last four to run down Dwyer and Calvin and grab the victory with a 78! John and Logan finished T2 on 80 to split the 2nd place prize of $130. Kyle took home the trophy and a $310 Visa Gift Card for his first APT win! John’s second was good enough to keep him on top of the season long standings and earn the coveted Player of the Year title- congrats John!

Division 4: The POY race was much less dramatic in Division 4, as Milton Gray could only be caught by one player (Steven Ayala) who unfortunately could not attend. No matter, as Milton wrapped up his season the way a champion does- with a three shot victory over “El Machino” Mancha (Phoenix Chapter) to put a stamp on a great campaign. He took home a $160 Visa Gift Card and the trophy for his victory on the day along with the spoils of SoCal Division 4 POY! Milton had come agonizingly close last year in the POY race, missing a short putt on the last hole of the last round which would have claimed the title for him. He worked hard on his game and the results have paid off in 2022, great job Milton!

Division 5: Dennis McZeal was unable to play the SoCal Tour Championship, but he had already wrapped up the season points race with his dominant play! With his trophy case already full, the remaining competitors lined up for their chance at winning the trophy and a $200 Visa Gift Card. At the turn, it was anybody’s game, with Wayne Hall posting 43 for a two shot lead over David Lopez. The two would take turns with the lead over the next 9 holes, with David holding a one shot lead on the 18th. Unfortunately, he found trouble and made a triple bogey while Wayne just a bogey- good enough for a 97 and a one shot victory over David! Congratulations on your first of likely more wins on Tour, Wayne!

Upcoming tournaments:

APT Sr. North American Championship
Myrtle Beach, SC
September 25-27

APT North American Championship
Nashville, TN
October 10-12

TOURNAMENT RESULTS