APT’s Pacific Classic at PGA West Results

Greetings APT Players,

A fantastic field of 70 players representing 11 different chapters nationwide descended on La Quinta, CA for the APT Pacific Classic at PGA West (Nicklaus & Stadium) this weekend. Players were treated to two championship golf courses and a fantastic competition in every division!

Jeff Clifford (Rocky Mountain) is no stranger to winning major championships this year, having already collected a win in Division 2 at the TPC San Antonio Major Championship in March, and following it up with a win at the Red Rock Regional in Utah two weeks later. He came in as the bookie's favorite and backed it up, getting it to red numbers late in the round on day 1 (including an eagle at 7) before squaring the card with a 73. Peter Fong (Rocky Mountain) wouldn't him get away though, chipping in on the impossible par 4 18th at Nicklaus Tournament (which played to a stroke average over 6!) for birdie to record a +2 74. Northern California's own Chapter Owner Matt Fegley was the only other D2 player to break 80 on the day. Players then moved over to the torture chamber Stadium, where Jeff was again the last man standing- recording a two day total of 153, good for a three stroke win over Peter. He takes a $475 Visa Gift Card and the Desert Sand Trophy back to Utah. Peter Fong's second place finish was good for a $175 Visa Gift Card and Alec Rosales completed the podium for Rocky Mountain and a $75 Visa Gift Card. Division 2 played the APT Orange tees at 6492 yards.

Jonathan Minkoff (Southern California) came into the weekend feeling pretty good about his game after qualifying for the California State Amateur at the Preserve GC on Wednesday. He took that mojo into the APT Pacific Classic and continued his mastery of PGA West, backing up a solid even par 72 on day 1 with a dazzling 71 on the Stadium Course on day 2. National Owner Matt Minder (St. Louis) was T2 just three shots back with Samuel Harris (Phoenix) after day 1, but the final margin was 11 with Minder claiming 2nd ($175) and Harris 3rd ($75). Minkoff earned a $475 Visa Gift Card and the trophy for his one under 143 victory in Division 1 on the weekend, as well as an exemption into the APT North American Championship in October in Pinehurst. Division 1 played the APT Black tees at 6779 yards.

Dave Davidson (Southern California) rolled up to the first tee on his custom golf bike and showed the rest of Division 4 who's boss. A part time resident of PGA West, he put his local knowledge to work and scored a two shot victory over Jeremy Conetah (Rocky Mountain) with a two day total of 181. Dave had just a one shot lead on the difficult 18th tee, but he was able to play for a smart bogey and claim the title after Jeremy found trouble. Dave cruised back home with a $450 Visa Gift Card, Pinehurst exemption, and another trophy for his case! Jeremy claimed a $150 Visa Gift Card for his fine performance in 2nd. Division 4 played the APT Green tees at 6185 yards.

California players have known what a tough out Nancy Lindsay (Southern California) is for a long time. Tied after round 1 with Sean Tavel (Virginia Capitol), she fired a remarkable 90 from the APT Red tees to win by a baker's dozen over two days. With the trophy she also takes home a $475 Visa Gift Card, a Pinehurst exemption, and a likely well-earned promotion to Division 4 after her first National Major win! Sean ($175) held on for second over Dennis McZeal (Southern California), who's 97 on the day pushed him to 3rd and a $75 Visa Gift Card.

Twenty four players teed it up in Division 3, the largest of the weekend- creating a prize pool of $1,450! In the lead up to the event, Kristian Yeager (Southern California) said Nicklaus Tournament and Stadium were his two favorite courses in Southern California. It showed on day 1 as he fired a sparkling 81 on the Nicklaus from the APT Orange tees, good for a 5 shot lead over Brian Dobrynski (St. Louis). Brian fired a front 9 39 to pull even with Kristian making the turn, where Dillon Patterson (Rocky Mountain) had crept within 4 as well in third. Kristian fended off the challenge from Brian with three straight pars to open the back nine, but it was Patterson who provided the fireworks late. He was still four behind on the 15th tee- where he proceeded to hole out for EAGLE 2 on the #2 handicap hole on the course. Down 1 on the iconic island green 17th, he stuffed his tee shot and made ANOTHER 2 to take a one shot lead! Both players played too well to lose but in the end Dillon hoisted the Desert Sand trophy and a $625 Visa Gift Card. Kristian took home a $375 Visa Gift Card for second while Luke Barritt (Rocky Mountain) put up the 2nd best round on the Stadium to claim third and a $250 Visa Gift Card. Dobrynski held on for fourth ($125) and Sean Larsen (Rocky Mountain) completed the payouts in fifth ($75).

A grand total of $8,785 in Visa Gift Cards and Skins money were paid out this weekend! Results are listed in the tables below. We thank you all for coming out to play with us and hope you had a great time!