Jeff Wilson (NCGA photo)
CARMEL, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2018) –
Jeff Wilson is still alone atop the leaderboard, but this one is set up for a fantastic finish.
Wilson, who won this year’s U.S. Senior Amateur, carded a second-round 1-over 73 Tuesday at The Preserve Golf Club for a two-day total of 2-under 142. Just a shot back at 141 is 2018 NCGA Hall of Fame inductee
Randy Haag following a 73, while at 144 is two-time champ John Pate of Santa Barbara after a 74.
Both Wilson, who turned 55 this year, and Haag are looking for their first Cal Senior crowns.
A day after carding just one bogey, Wilson would post four. The longtime Green Valley CC member got three shots back, however, thanks to a birdie on No.7 and an eagle on the par-5 eighth.
Haag carded five birdies but also had four bogeys and a double-bogey on the par-5 13th. Pate was also slowed by a double-bogey on the 15th.
Only three shots back at 145 after a 70 is SCGA member Craig Calkins. Former champ Jim Knoll, the winner of this year’s NCGA Senior Championship, slipped back to T-15 after a 78. Gary Vanier, another former winner, is still in the hunt at 146 along with six others after a 74.
The cutline (low 30 and ties) came at 8-over 152. Among those missing the cut were defending champ Mark Morgan.
In the annual Senior Cup, which pits three players from the SCGA versus three players from the NCGA (best two scores out of three), the NCGA slipped by with a tight 291-292 victory. The NCGA was paced by Haag’s 73, while Knoll and Morgan shot 76.
The SCGA got a 71 from Burda, a 73 from Robert Funk and a 75 by Craig Davis. The NCGA has won the title eight of the last 10 years.
View results for California Senior Amateur
ABOUT THE California Senior Amateur
The California Senior Amateur Championship began
in the fall of 1992, and is the state championship for
players age 55 and over. The first two tournaments
were played at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. In 1994,
the event was moved to Poppy Hills Golf Course in
Pebble Beach, and in 1995, a simultaneous NCGA vs.
SCGA team portion of the championship was added.
Starting in 2010 this 54-hole stroke play
championship will rotate to selected courses
throughout the state. Players must have an index of
7.4 or less and may attempt to qualify at any
location in the state.
View Complete Tournament Information