Ryan Grauman shot 4-under 68 today at Del Monte
Ryan Grauman won the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic, shooting an opening-round 68 and watching his lead hold up as the skies opened up at Del Monte, forcing the cancellation of the final round.
It was his second AGC title in as many years.
Glenn Andrade won the Senior division by one shot over Casey Boyns, giving him three senior Christmas Classic titles in a row. John Scott Senz won the Net division via scorecard playoff.
The low mid-amateur prize went to Stephen Sparolini and the low super senior senior was Charles Richesin.
FIRST ROUND STORY
Ryan Grauman is picking up right where he left off on the AmateurGolf.com Winter Tour.
Grauman, from Danville, won the inaugural Winter Invitational last December at Corica Park in Alameda. He shot out to a 3-shot lead today at Del Monte with a 4-under 68.
The St. Mary's freshman -- he played all 13 of their tournaments this fall averaging 73.33 -- birdied his first two holes today, then added two more on Nos. 5 and 6 to get to 4-under on the day. After turning in 32, he birdied the short par-4 10th to get to 5-under and was looking a bogey-free round right in the face until taking a lone bogey on the tricky 18th.
"My last few rounds at Del Monte have been 64, 68, and 71 -- the course fits my eye pretty well," said Grauman. "I'm excited to come out here and play any time I can."
Sunday's forecast calls for rain, which might bode well for Grauman, who closed out the final round of last year's Winter Invitational with a 68 as rain pelted his group on the last two holes.
"I just have to stay patient," he said. "I can't control what the other players are doing, but I can control my game."
Grauman is trailed by his St. Mary's teammate Ethan Farnam. Farnam has been in the thick of things at the Christmas Classic the last two years, but has yet to record a win. Look out for him on Sunday as he looks for a little revenge from Del Monte.
Another stroke back (but leading the 25-and-over Mid-Am division by one) is Stephen Sparolini of San Francisco. Sparolini had five birdies, but balanced those out with five bogeys.
SENIOR DIVISION
Glenn Andrade of Napa was the only player to break par today in the over-50 senior division. Playing the same tees as the Championship (and the course plays a long 6500 yards when it is wet as it was today) Andrade recorded just two bogeys against three birdies for his 1-under 71. He will take a three shot lead over the tournament's original namesake, California legend Casey Boyns.
Boyns fired 74 today, and despite feeling under the weather was seen on the practice putting green after the round. The longtime Pebble Beach caddie, and Pacific Grove resident, founded the tournament almost thirty years ago as the "Casey's Christmas Classic" and many longtime players still refer to it as "Casey's." Boyns is coming off a big win at the California State Senior Amateur in November. Former University of the Pacific golfer Todd Barsotti is another shot back at 75, and another three golfers at 77 are all in the mix heading into Sunday.
Charles Richesin, a Super-Senior from Lodi, is one of the players who posted 78 He has a one shot lead in the Super-Senior division over Mark Miller of Antioch.
NET DIVISION
John Scott Senz and Robert Cahill are tied for the lead at 84 in the Net Division. Tomorrow's final round begins at 8:00am and spectators are welcome.
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