- amateurgolf.com photo
MONTEREY, Calif. (December 4, 2011) -- For
the second-straight year, a Cal Bear golfer has
won the Christmas Classic. But it took a three-
way playoff to determine the outcome.
Jeffrey Hamm of Danville posted rounds of 3-
under 67 (Pacific Grove) and 2-under 70 (Del
Monte) to catch first-round leader Nick Sako
(65-72) who was playing with him in the final
pairing Sunday.
Sako fired straight for the pin at No. 18, and,
despite losing out on the chance for a
regulation victory, gutted out a bogey by
getting up-and-down from behind the green
after his first pitch shot came up short of the
"extreme" pin placement.
The scoreboard showed one other 5-under
total, the result of Grant Rappleye's Sunday-low
round of 5-under 67 at Del Monte on top of an
even par round at Pacific Grove.
The playoff started on the par-5 17th, where
Rappleye looked to be in control after playing
his second shot to the front fringe. After
running his eagle try by the cup, he missed a
slick down-hill putt and the come-backer for
par, opening the door for Sako and Hamm,
who both had putts in the 15-foot range.
Jim
Knoll
Senior Div. Champ
Vincent Steele
Net Division
Champ |
Both players left three-foot putts for par --
Hamm converted his while Sako's slid by.
In the Senior Division, first-round leader Jim
Knoll (65 at Pacific Grove) came in with a 73 to
post 4-under for a two-stroke victory over
tournament founder Casey Boyns and Mark
Miller. Knoll, the 2011 NCGA Senior Player-of-
the-Year, was just one stroke from posting the
same score as the winner of the Championship
flight and played the same tees.
Knoll praised the Del Monte greens as being
"the best at any public facility in Northern
California" and many players agree. If you
haven't played this historic gem, it's time to call
831-373-2700 and make a tee time.
Vincent Steele of Concord "hung on with both
hands" to claim the Net Division title by one
stroke to edge Todd Knapp of Salinas. Steele
had what he called an, "interesting round," on
Sunday. His only par of the day came on the
last hole, the 218-yard par-3 14th. It was the
par he needed, to post Net rounds of 65-76, 1-
under-par.
The final event of the 2011 season is the
amateurgolf.com Tour Championship at
Stevinson Ranch. If you haven't registered yet,
please think about joining us at "the home
course of amateurgolf.com." We'll award
trophies to winners of the Tour Championship,
and award special trophies to the players of the
year in Championship, Senior, and Net
Divisions.
ABOUT THE AGC Christmas Classic
>> TOUR PORTAL | PHOTO GALLERY
The Christmas Classic was
founded by 2-time
California State Amateur Champion Casey
Boyns over 20 years ago and it always
attracts
a great field. This is our most popular event,
and year in and year out it sells out. Field
limited to 104 players; Championship, Senior,
and Net divisions.
Your entry fee includes two rounds of
golf
(cart at players expense), $4500 in
Callaway Golf certificate prizes,
$20 lunch certificate,
and a
great
weekend at one of the Monterey Peninsula's
wonderful classic courses, "Old" Del Monte.
DIVISIONS
CHAMPIONSHIP
For players aged 16 and over who have a USGA or
equivalent index of less than 5.5
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
For players age 50 and over (as of the tournament
date) with a handicap index of less than 8.0. Note:
Must be 55 and over for NCGA Senior Points.
NET
For players 16 and over with handicap between 5.5
and 18.0.
MID-AM (subdivision of Championship)
For players age
25-49. Compete alongside the younger players in the
Championship Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and if there are at least six Mid-Ams,
a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded.
SUPER SENIORS (subdivision of Senior)
For players age
65+. Compete alongside the younger senior players
in
the
Senior Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and if there are at least six players 65
or
over, a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded for low
super senior.
WOMEN (subdivision of Championship)
Will play in the Championship
Division but from a shorter tee; if there are at least
six women in
the field, a separate prize and trophy will be
awarded. Net players will
play in the Net Division but from a shorter tee.
View Complete Tournament Information