San Diego Amateur winner Scotland Schmidt
On a day that matched the weather in his first name's country,
Scotland Schmidt of San Diego shot a final round 68 to claim the San Diego Amateur title by two strokes.
It was the second-straight year that a mid-amateur player has taken the title at the historic San Diego Country Club.
Schmidt opened the day two strokes behind San Diego State golfer
Liam Koeneke, who fired 6-under 66 on a glorious weather day in round one. But the weather in round two made a 180-degree turn, and it looked more like Scotland than San Diego with intermittent rain and steady winds.
Enter the experienced mid-amateur Schmidt, an admitted "late bloomer" competing with D1 collegiate golfers like Koeneke. Schmidt made the turn in 2-under 34, taking the lead over from Koeneke. He sealed the deal with a birdie on 15 and chip-in eagle on 16 followed by another birdie on No. 17.
With the rain coming down hard and fast, Schmidt had a three-shot lead on the 18th tee, and a bogey was enough for a two-stroke victory.
Schmidt's total of 8-under 136 was especially solid given the second-round conditions. Koeneke recovered on the back nine with a 2-under 34 to shoot even par on the day and finished in solo second at 6-under 138.
Zack Missigman of Goodyear, Ariz., who plays for St. Mary's College, finished in third place at 3-under 141.
L-R: Jim Plotkin, David Ujihara, Maurice Choi of Carlsbad brought home his second AmateurGolf.com San Diego senior title in a playoff over
Steve McPherson of Hemet. Plotkin, who also won the San Diego Amateur at Aviara in December, opened with a 70 and finished the final round at 79, opening the door for McPherson.
On the first playoff hole -- the difficult par-4 10th at San Diego CC -- Plotkin drove it in the center of the fairway while McPherson's drive trickled into the fairway bunker into an unplayable lie. It was a tough break that Plotkin was able to take advantage of.
David Ujihara of Brea posted 7-over 151 to win the super senior title;
Maurice Choi of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. posted 4-over net to win the net division crown.
ABOUT THE
AGC San Diego Amateur
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TOUR
PORTAL
The San Diego Amateur revisits, the
Steele
Canyon Golf Club. Steele Canyon is a
dramatic layout with three distinct nines and picture-
postcard views.
Your entry fee includes 2 rounds of golf, cart fee,
range
balls, prizes,
trophies for division winners, and
the opportunity to play two days at Golf Digest’s
prestigious “4-½ Star Award" and nationally
recognized
as one of Southern California’s best publicly
accessible
golf courses in a competitive setting. Championship,
Senior, and Net divisions.
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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