SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 4, 2006) -- Bob Niger -- who started the day tied for 15th place -- posted a final round of 65 in Monday's final round of the State Fair Championship at Haggin Oaks, then waited patiently to see if his tournament-leading total of 11-under-par 205 would hold up.
Marc Peterson, who owned a share of the lead at (10-under) heading into the last round and was therefore playing in the final group, posted a 1-under-par 71 to match Niger at 11-under-par, while 36-hole co-leader Mike McRae -- who had lead off the tournament with a 7-under-par 65 -- posted an even par final round to finish 1-shot back in third place.
Niger won a sudden-death playoff with Peterson with a birdie on the first playoff hole and the well-decorated, top NCGA player ended a 20-plus year run of playing the State Fair without a victory.
"This ws my home course all through high school," said Niger. "Me and my friends, when we played golf, we all talked about wanting to win the State Fair."
Niger finished like a man on a mission - going eagle-birdie on the final two holes in regulation to come from 6-strokes back at the start of the day.
His name goes alongside those of legends Ken Venturi, Al Geiberger, and Dick Lotz. Verne Callison won the State Fair title seven times.
NOTE: To view complete final round scores, please click on the name of the tournament at the top of this page under "see also." To read more about Bob Niger, follow the link to his name.
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ABOUT THE
California State Fair
The State Fair Men's Amateur Championship is one of
the oldest and most prestigious Amateur
Championships in the West. The Championship is
limited to 108 players. Competition commences over a
54-hole stroke play format with 18 holes played each
day. The field is cut after 36 holes to the low 36
players & ties.
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