First Round leaders Pavan Sagoo (C) with Lucas Carper (L) and George McNeeley (R)
MONTEREY, Calif. (December 2, 2017) -- St. Mary's College senior Pavan Sagoo fired a 7-under 65 today to take the first round lead at the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic.
Sagoo, who learned to play the game in his native England, nearly matched his tournament low round of 64, which he posted at Fresno's Ft. Washington in a collegiate event. Just as all golfers do, Sagoo lamented a couple of short birdie putts that got in the way of his round going even lower.
"I missed a couple of short ones," he said. "But I made my share."
He posted 2-under 34 on the front nine, and an amazing 5-under 31 on the back, with 5 threes and 4 fours. Not bad.
But even at 7-under, Sagoo has two competitors in very close range. The first one, Leland High School junior Lucas Carper, is just a shot back after a 6-under 66. And rounding out the final threesome on Sunday will be Carmel High School junior George McNeely, who fashioned a 4-under 68.
Many other players are within striking distance, including 2016 San Francisco City champion Brian Ma, playing in his first AmateurGolf.com event. The Archbishop Mitty H.S. junior posted 72 on a Del Monte layout he's very familiar with.
SENIOR & NET DIVISIONS
Glenn Andrade of Napa and Tony Ralph of Sunnyvale are tied for the lead in the Senior Division at 4-over 76. They have a two shot cushion over Jay Guerin (Alameda) and Pete Wlodkowski (Carlsbad) who posted 78, with another 4 players at 79. It's anyone's game.
In the Net Division, first time AmateurGolf.com contestant Craig Dowd of Bakersfield posted 1-under 71 to tie with Turlock CC member John Borrelli of Newman. They have a three shot lead over Charles Balisha, who is also a member of Turlock and traveling with a group who players the Christmas Classic every year. Bragging rights are at stake.
ABOUT THE AGC Christmas Classic
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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