Northern California’s Harding Park Results

Greetings APT Players,

An excited field of twenty was on hand at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco for the fourth event of the season with the North Cal Chapter of the Amateur Players Tour. The North Cal players welcomed fellow APT members from the New York, Rocky Mountain and Southern California Chapters. Players at the start of the day were met with sunny skies and cool temperatures, it was a nice weather change for those of us who enjoyed the desert heat last week in La Quinta. In addition to our Division Champions who received a framed flag and gift card, there were five skins with each paying $76 to the winners!

In Division 1, Ony Velez was our champion on the day with a 78 +6.  For the victory, Ony was awarded a $75 gift card and a framed Harding Park PGA Pin Flag! Ony has been a great competitor so far this season and improves his winning streak to four straight local events. The competition was close as tour assistant Kent Kao had a one shot lead heading to the 16th tee. Just like in the PGA championship, Division 1 was decided on this hole. Ony hit the fairway while Kent attempted to do the same, but his shot unfortunately found the cypress trees on the right and was never located. The lost ball penalty and Ony finishing with a bogie and par were enough to close out the win!

In Division 2, Peter Fong of the Rocky Mountain Chapter was our champion on the day with a 76 +4.  For the victory Peter was awarded a $100 gift card and a framed Harding Park PGA Pin Flag! Peter started fast leaving the 6th green three under par after making four birdies, one par and one bogie in the opening stretch.  Second place finisher Billy Witt 78 +6 no stranger to fast starts himself with his 33 front nine at Silverado South earlier this year held strong and closed the gap to one shot where the 16th hole would again determine the winner. Just like the PGA Championship and Division 1 the event was decided on the 16th hole. Billy hit his drive into the cypress tress on the right and it was unfortunately not found, the lost ball penalty would be the deciding factor between these two well matched competitors.

Depending on travel schedules between the North Cal and Rocky Mountain players, they may face each other again during the season.  Any number of possible options exist from Old Greenwood / Toiyabe in the Reno area, the APT Players Championship at Troon North in Phoenix, or a local stop in the APT Network as we experienced on Sunday.

In Division 3,  Rich Fong was our champion with a 79 +7. This is his second straight victory on the North Cal Local Tour. Rich played solid on the front nine building a four shot lead with his solid 39 and never looked back finishing seven shots ahead of runner up Patrick Rebholtz. For the victory Rich was awarded a $125 gift card and framed Harding Park PGA Pin Flag!

In Division 4, Tracy Castro was our champion with a 86 +14. For the victory Tracy was awarded a $125 gift card and a framed Harding Park Pin Flag! Tracy started with a 43 on the front nine and built a two shot lead. He continued his solid play down the stretch resulting in a solid 86 and nine shot victory over second place finisher James Shultz. This is Tracy’s first victory on tour.  Congratulations to Tracy on joining the winner's circle!

In Division 5, Felix Monjes was our champion with a 91 +19. For the victory, Felix took home a $75 gift card and a framed Harding Park Pin Flag! After a front nine 46 Felix was trailing John Spradling by two, but he battled back on the closing nine to complete his hard fought and well deserved first victory on tour! Will Felix tie John after Coyote Creek, will John expand his win total or will we see another first time winner in Division 5?  Only time will tell.

The North Cal Tour's Next Stop is at Coyote Creek on Saturday June 26th. Sign ups are open now with tee Times beginning at 10:05am.  The $10 early sign up discount expires on June 12, so sign up now and take advantage of the savings!

The South Cal Tour's Next Stop is at Aviara in Carlsbad. This is a great venue in a beautiful flower garden-like setting. The APT tournament cost is below the public rate, come play this top resort course in an organized setting for less than the public play price.

Help us spread the word and earn discounted or even free play for yourself. If you refer a new member who joins and plays an event, you will receive credit for $25 off your next event! This is per player, per referral and is unlimited! Refer four players and receive $100 in tour credit! If you have friends in the Bay Area or down south in the Los Angeles Area let them know we have California covered! If you're not sure about joining and would like to play a tournament as a guest, we would love to have you! (additional guest fee applies)