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John Pate wins his second California Senior Amateur
John Pate <br>(SCGA Photo)
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.

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