Chase Sienkiewicz after his Christmas Classic win (AGC photo)
MONTEREY, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2018) –
Chase Sienkiewicz fired a final-round 67 Sunday at Monterey’s Del Monte Golf Course, winning the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic by five shots. It was the first amateur victory for the high school senior from Carmichael, Calif., who will play for the University of Arizona in the fall.
“I had a nice runner-up finish this summer at the Junior Worlds at Torrey Pines,” said Sienkiewicz, who, at 6 feet 3 inches tall, towers over most players in the field. “But it feels good bringing home my first amateur victory over a field with many Division I golfers.”
Despite being the only player to break 70 in the first round, Sunday’s outcome was anything but certain. Starting off at the beginning of a delightfully crisp morning, there were 17 players within four shots of the lead.
So when Sienkiewicz birdied three straight holes starting at No. 6, he knew he was well in front of the other players in his group, but not sure if anyone in the big pack of 17 was making a move. He played solid, steady golf on the back nine, and saved a key par with a long putt on No. 12.
“That was big,” he said. “I really didn’t want to drop a shot there.”
Sienkiewicz’s 36-hole total of 8-under 136 was among the best 36-hole scores since AmateurGolf.com began running the historic tournament founded by Casey Boyns. Considering the tough scoring day on Saturday – when gusty winds and occasional rain squalls caused more than one player to lose an umbrella – Sienkiewicz’s play this weekend was noteworthy.
Five-shot wins are convincing.
The duo of Brandon Gama of Santa Barbara and Ethan Farnham of Crystal Lake, Ill, finished tied for second at 141. Full scoring is available by
clicking here.
SENIOR/NET DIVISIONS
Glenn Adrade of Napa, Calif., successfully defended his senior title, posting a final-round 73 to emerge from a three-way tie at 74 after Round 1. Steve Donnelly of Salinas, Calif., posted a 73 to tie Jeff Britton of Carmel, Calif., for second at 148. In a tie for fourth was Andy Gabelman, also of Carmel, and David Nelson of Reno, Nev.
Matt Brody posted a Net total of 148 to take a one-stroke victory (and the crystal cup) home to Dallas, Texas in the Net Division. Charles Balisha of Turlock, Calif., was runner-up while Laurence Schmid of Vancouver, Canada was third at 150.
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.
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