Christmas Classic leader Sean Crocker rips a drive off No. 1
-- you can't see him under the hat, but trust us it's him!
MONTEREY, California (Dec. 5, 2015) -- One of Northern California's holiday golf traditions -- The AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic -- got underway today at Del Monte.
And while the field always looks like a collegiate tournament, the tradition founded by Casey Boyns over twenty years ago continues. A strong contingency from Turlock has been coming for years, and one player (Juan Lopez) drives with his family almost five hours from Lakeport to enjoy the weekend in Monterey.
The host course, Del Monte, provided a stern test around the greens, and only four players managed to break par in the championship division. USC standout Sean Crocker of Westlake Village posted 4-under 68 to lead Cal Bear Ben Doyle (69) by a shot. High school Junior Thomas Hutchison of San Jose fired 2-under 70, while Finigan Tilly of San Mateo, fueled by a birdie-eagle run on Nos. 8-9, posted 71.
Six players at 72 included at least three Cal Bears, that we know of. It's going to be a shootout on Sunday for the final round.
SENIOR DIVISION
Neil Duffy fired a very solid 73 to lead the seniors. Going out in the first group and posting 36 on the back nine, his group made the turn and had to wait for two groups to play off the first tee. Duffy, from Santa Cruz, didn't let it slow him down, and he will enter the final round with a two stroke lead over Charles Richesin of Lodi, a super senior that still gets it out there 285 yards.
NET
Perennial contenders Bart Goldie and Chris Ladd are tied at even par 72 net, proving once again that if you can shoot your handicap in AmateurGolf.com events, you can do well. One stroke back is Charles Balisha.
AMAZING HOLE-OUTS
Steven Madey and Tom Lyons both holed shots of around 95 yards today for eagle. Madey's was on the par four 2nd, playing to the treacherous back-right flag. And Lyons wasn't bad either -- playing one group back he was on the right side of the par-5 first hole and one-bounced a gap wedge into the cup.
Lyons couldn't see it go it, but explained that "there was a kid up there who said - 'you dunked it!'"
Nice going guys.
Pairings are now posted - good luck to all players on Sunday.
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