Ryder Epson's shot in the dark secures Yorba Linda City Championship

19 Mar 2023
by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com
see also: View results for Yorba Linda City, Black Gold Golf Club, Ryder Epson Rankings
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Ryder Epson

With the Black Gold Golf Club engulfed in near-complete darkness early Sunday evening, it was hard enough for Ryder Epson to see his ball and the proper line as he faced a 40-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to win Yorba Linda (Calif.) City Championship.

And there was a slimmer chance Epson saw the ball drop into the cup that delivered the former Long Beach State golfer the title.

Thanks to a double bogey on the 16th hole, Epson found himself tied at the end of regulation with 2019 Southern California Mid-Amateur champion Damon Krause at 1-under 143. The championship still hung in the balance after the first extra hole and with darkness setting in, both players faced improbable birdie putts on the second playoff hole.

A third playoff hole was likely not in the equation, so Epson took matters into his own hands to assure there wouldn't be a Monday finish by dropping a 40-foot bomb for birdie in the darkness to win the championship.

It was the best shot he never saw.

Shelly Haywood (151), last year's SCGA Senior Women's Player of the Year, successfully defended her women's championship while Gregory Soto won the senior championship.

Results: Yorba Linda City

Ryder Epson

Long Beach, CA

71-72=143

Damon Krause

Los Angeles, CA

72-71=143

Ethan Thomas

Buena Park, CA

71-74=145

Bradley Smolinski

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

75-71=146

Garrett Boe

Clovis, CA

78-69=147

View full results for Yorba Linda City

ABOUT THE Yorba Linda City

36-hole individual stroke play tournament open to all amateur golfers with a USGA handicap index and who are 15 years of age or older. Players will be assigned to flights based on their handicap index. Exact size and handicap range for each flight is subject to change. Senior flight eligibility is limited to those 55 and older.

MEN'S CHAMP FLIGHT (Gross) | 4.9 index or below | Black Tees - 6,756 yds.
MEN'S FIRST FLIGHT (Net) | 5.0 to 12.9 index | Blue Tees - 6,439 yds.
MEN'S SECOND FLIGHT (Net) | 13.0 index or above | White Tees - 6,045 yds.
WOMEN'S CHAMP FLIGHT (Gross) | 7.9 index or below | White Tees - 6,045 yds.
WOMEN'S FIRST FLIGHT (Net) | 8.0 index or above | Red Tees - 4,937 yds.
SENIOR CHAMP FLIGHT (Gross) | 7.9 index or below | Combo Tees - 6,255 yds.

View Complete Tournament Information

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