The APT North Cal Chapter traveled to the Monterey Peninsula for the Pebble Beach Invitational. Typical conditions greeted the players as temperatures were in the 60s and fog was present most of the day. Up for grabs in each division were the Hazel Golf Company custom headcovers sponsored by our tour partner Blue Tees Golf and a generous prize pool paid in APT branded Visa gift cards.
Division 1 was won by Nick McClendon with a solid 75(+3). After the opening nine, the ten-player division was narrowed down to four competitors. Leading the way was Ony Velez and Nick McClendon at +1 with Kevin McEvoy at +2 and Dillon Rafferty at +3. Nick would open up a two-shot lead after the 13th hole. The group would sort themselves out further on the 14th after Nick made par, Kevin McEvoy birdie, Ony & Dillon with bogey. This would narrow things down to a contest between Nick & Kevin. Nick would make a solid par, while Kevin found trouble and made an untimely triple. Nick would complete his round with a par and birdie setting the final winning margin of three. Nick was awarded the custom headcover and $300 visa gift card for his win. Finishing in a tie for second Ony & Dillon each received a $50 visa gift card.
Billy Witt came into Poppy Hills in an unfamiliar position, he was behind in the Player of the Year points race. Injuries have limited his starts this year but he claimed a victory upon his return. Billy made the turn tied for the lead with Troy Shedeed at 40. Billy went one under in the opening half of the back nine and a bogey on the closing par 5 was no matter, as he polished the round off with a solid 76(+5). Billy won by 5 over Che Touch, who fired a 38 on the back 9 to claim 2nd place. Billy took home the custom headcover and a $300 Visa Gift Card for his victory, while Che Touch earned a $100 Visa Gift Card for 2nd.
One person who hasn’t been limited in starts this year is Felix Monjes. He has been tearing through APT fields all across the country, all while getting promoted from Division 5, to Division 4, and then Division 3. He completed the sweep of California events this past weekend, piling on another trophy at Poppy Hills with an 83(+12) to win by 6 over Jonathan Atkinson. Fearless Felix earned the custom headcover and a $240 Visa Gift Card for his win. Division two awaits Felix, and if past performance is any indication of future results, those in Division 2 should be on the lookout.
Division 4 was won by Todd Brown with an 89(+18). After the opening nine, four players were within four, with Todd leading the way at 45, followed by Tracy Castro 46, Jeff Albritton 47 and Nashville Chapter owner Joe Smolira 49. The back nine saw Todd build a two-shot lead over Tracy and three shot lead over Jeff after the 16th hole. Todd made an untimely triple on the 17th, Tracy a bogey and Jeff a par which resulted in all three players headed to the 18th tee tied up. Todd was the winner on the 18th making a solid bogey which was enough to hold off Jeff and Tracy. Todd was awarded the custom headcover and $160 visa gift card for the win.
Division 5 was a match between two dedicated APT members John Spradling(North Cal) and Michael Cosselman(Las Vegas). After making the turn, John would head to the 10th tee with a three-shot lead. Michael would cut the lead down to two after the 14th, but John would battle back with a solid par on the 15th extending the lead back to the eventual closing margin of four. John was awarded the custom headcover and $80 visa gift card for the win.