John Pate
(SCGA Photo)
DALY CITY, CA (November 16, 2016) --It wasn’t the
way Santa Barbara resident John Pate wanted to finish,
but it got the job done.
Pate, an AmateurGolf.com member, shot a final
round 4-over 76 and survived a
late charge by Randy Haag, claiming his second
California Senior Amateur title in three years by three
shots on a cold and blustery Wednesday at par-72 Lake
Merced Golf Club. With the victory, Pate joined Jeff
Burda (2008-2010 ) and Jim McMurtrey (1994, 1995
and 1998) as multiple winners of the championship.
“I feel like as a Mid-Amateur that I underachieved,”
said the 57-year-old Pate, who finished with a three-day
total of even-par 216. “Maybe as a senior I’ll
overachieve.”
The keys to Pate’s win came in the first and second
rounds, when he posted rounds of 71 and 69,
respectively, on a Lake Merced course that was playing
tough due in part to thick rough. His 69 came on a day
when the next lowest score was a 72. It would give him
a comfy four shot lead entering the finale.
“I could’ve gone lower than the 69. I left a lot of
shots out there,” said Pate, who captured his first
California Senior Amateur crown in 2014 at Poppy Hills
in his senior debut. “My short game really came
through.”
In a final round that he described as a “dumpster
fire”, Pate. the brother of professional Steve Pate, went
5-over through 17 holes with zero birdies. He’d collect
his lone birdie at a perfect time, however, sinking a 3-
footer on the 18th to seal the deal. The 18th was the
only fairway he hit in regulation.
Earlier on the par-4 16th, he escaped with only a
bogey after his ball found an indentation on the collar of
the green.
“The ball was so down so much that I thought I was
going to whiff it,” Pate said. “I was lucky to get out of
there with a bogey.”
All the while, Pate also had to fend off a feisty
Haag. Looking for his first California Senior Amateur
title, Haag made things interesting with a 71 that
included three birdies on his back-nine. The Olympic
Club member and record six-time NCGA Player of the
Year, who’d entered the round eight shots behind Pate,
had a chance to apply more pressure on the 18th but
missed his 3-foot birdie try. Earlier in his round, Haag
missed numerous other putts from within six feet.
“When you’re eight shots behind, you can’t miss
putts from within six feet,” said Haag, who came in at
219. “I knew the scores would be there would I could
make a run. This course was tough. It played like a
championship venue.”
Finishing in a tie for third at 224 were 2012
champion Casey Boyns (76), James Camaione (75) and
Craig Steinberg (80). Boyns was also making a charge
until his ball got lost in a tree on the par-3 12th, leading
to a crippling quadruple-bogey.
Coming into the finale, Pate fully expected Haag
and Company to make a push.
“I was actually hoping to shoot par,” Pate said. “I
didn’t want to get into a playoff and I know my wife
didn’t want that seeing that we had a six hour drive
home.”
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