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SUMMER OF CHAMPIONS
We’re more than halfway through the year and there have been many outstanding junior, amateur, and professional tournaments played in California. Here are just a few of the champions that were crowned this summer.
Women’s U.S. Open
Allisen Corpuz of Hawaii and USC claimed her first pro victory in the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at famed Pebble Beach Golf Links. Corpuz also won the 2014 Hawaii Women’s State Open as an amateur.
Men’s U.S. Open
Wyndham Clark of Scottsdale, Ariz., and the University of Oregon, earned his first major title and second win as a pro in the 123rd United States Open on the North Course at the Los Angeles Country Club.
California State Amateur
Zach Pollo of Rocklin, a sophomore at the University of Arizona, beat Dylan Oyama of Carlsbad and San Diego State, 5 and 4, in the 36-hole final at Lake Merced Golf Club.
California State Open
Rak Cho of Buena Park, who played college golf at Oregon, captured the California State Open by two strokes at Bear Creek Golf Club.
NCGA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship
Antonia Malate of Seaside, a 2022 graduate of San Jose State, won the NCGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship by four strokes at Poppy Hills.
Northern California PGA Match Play
Michael Duncan a PGA pro at Cypress Point Club, won five matches in three days to claim the Northern California PGA Match Play Championship at Pebble Beach.
SCGA Men’s Match Play Championship
Aiden Lee of Pasadena won five matches in three days, defeating Sean Birren of La Verne, 1-up, in the championship match at Goose Creek Golf Club.
California Junior Girls’ State Championship
Camille Thai, a junior at Los Altos High School, claimed the 73rd California Junior Girls State Championship at Quail Lodge.
First Tee National Championship
Cooper Groshart of San Luis Obispo, who will attend Cal State Eastbay in the Fall, won the First Tee National Championship at Stanford GC.
NCGA Public Links Championship
Jeremy Gearhart of Atascadero won the NCGA Public Links Championship with a par on the first extra hole at Poppy Hills.
SCGA Women’s Match Play Championship
Kate Villegas of Arcadia turned back Jade Zamora of San Clemente, 2 and 1, by winning three of five holes on the back nine with birdies in the SCGA Women’s Match Play Championship at Goose Creek.
SCGA Senior Match Play Championship
Iain Macdonald of Fullerton won five holes on the back nine to edge Kory Frost of Trabuco Canyon, 1 up, in the NCGA Senior Match Play Championship at Goose Creek.
NCGA Mid-Amateur Championship
Daniel Connolly of San Francisco, who captured the 2016 S.F. City Championship, won the NCGA Public Links Championship at Poppy Hills.
NCGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Catherine Kim of Palo Alto won the NCGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship with a par on the first playoff hole at Poppy Hills.
California Champions
NCGA Four-Ball Championship
Nick Randazzo (left) of Monterey and Matt Cohn (right) of San Francisco won the NCGA Four-Ball Championship at Spyglass Hill after claiming the 2020 NCGA Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship.
NCPGA Pro-Scotch Championship
Steve Watanabe Jr. (left) of The Bridges Golf Club and Scott deBorda (right) of Valley Hi Country Club shot eight-under par 63 to win the NCPGA ProScotch Championship for the third straight year at Diablo Country Club.
NCGA Senior Four-Ball Championship
Mark Morgan (left) of Shingle Springs and Straight Down Clothing founder Mike Rowley (right) of San Luis Obispo captured the NCGA Senior Four-Ball Championship at Poppy Hills for the second time.
2023 SCPGA Professional-Junior Championship
In the Girls Division of the 2023 Professional-Junior Championship, Mike Fergin (right), PGA, and Stella Fergin (left) of Mesa Verde CC emerged victorious in a playoff over Janella Sua, PGA, and Sophia Fujita hosted at San Juan Hills Golf Club.
NCGA Senior Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship
Tina Barker of Fairfield claimed the NCGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship at Poppy Hills for the second time in three years.
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