Reinstated amateur is Cali's top amateur.

Bob Niger of El Dorado comfortably took the top spot in the California amateurgolf.com-Bridgestone Golf state rankings with 12 first-place finishes and 3185 total points, outpacing his nearest competitor, Marc Peterson of Modesto, who had 1805 points.

“It was a good season for me, I won 12 tournaments and played in about 30 or so,” said Niger. “It seemed like I won them in every different way, some I hit the ball good, some I putted good, some went to a playoff, some I ran away with.”

“But the big thing was I won every one I had a chance to win,” he added. “I didn’t choke any away.”

The 47-year-old Niger, a reinstated amateur, placed 12th nationally largely thanks to wins at the California State Fair Amateur and the Stocker Cup as well as a second-place finish at the Terra Cotta Invitational.

He said his goal of the past 30 years is to compete on the Senior PGA tour. With two years left before eligibility, Niger said he will likely play on one of the mini-tours as a tune-up before taking his shot at earning his tour card.

Rounding out the top five was Peterson, Ben Fox of Studio City (1710 points), Rory Hie of Lakewood (1675) and Kevin Chappell of Fresno (1625).

To view the complete 2006 rankings list for California, click here>