Mitchell Hoey's thrilling final round to secure AGC Pacific Grove City Championship

16 Feb 2025
by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: View results for AGC Pacific Grove City, Pacific Grove Golf Links, Mitchell Hoey Rankings
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Mitchell Hoey (AmateurGolf.com Photo)

In a thrilling finish at the Pacific Grove Championship presented by Callaway Golf, Mitchell Hoey emerged victorious with a spectacular final round 6-under 64, capturing the title of 2025 Pacific Grove City Amateur Champion.

Hoey finished 8-under with rounds of 68-64 to earn the two-shot win. Ayden Fynaut finished in solo second place at 6-under and Ben Friedman finished in solo third place at 4-under. Hoey made birdies on holes No. 2, 3, and 5 to start strong and then birdied holes 10 through 13 to take control of the lead.

Reflecting on his performance, Hoey admitted he arrived with modest expectations. "I came in with a lot of very, very low expectations—not trying to get ahead of myself or anything along those lines. I just wanted to try and knock some rust off," he explained.

Despite his initial mindset, Hoey’s game quickly found its rhythm, a boost further reinforced by the exceptional work of his caddy, AJ.

With a professional event looming later in the week at Bayonet, Hoey noted, "The game felt good, drove it really, really well this week. And then today's putting was off the charts." The confidence that built up throughout the day allowed him to push his limits, especially on the back nine.

Hoey added, "I just told myself the back nine on Sunday is where you make a charge," Hoy said. Trusting his caddy's guidance and his own instincts, he took calculated risks that paid off spectacularly.

The final round saw him flourish, particularly on the back nine, where he committed to more aggressive lines off the tee. "I felt like I could tear it up and mentally really commit to a lot more lines off the tee on the back. And I just flourished on the back," Hoy shared. Although he admitted that he didn't see many smiles inside the ropes during much of the round, a few well-timed birdies eventually helped him secure his win.

"It's great to be honest with you," Hoey said about the win. "Heading into my next tournament, it's nice to have a little bit of a win. And it's also nice just to have confidence going forward. I can bring home a trophy, which is always nice—and then some Pro Shop credit, which I can't complain about either," he concluded with a smile.

Hoey recently finished in solo second place at the Bayonet Black Horse Amateur and won the 2024 Sacramento City Championship. He is currently ranked No. 452 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com U.S. Rankings.

In the Senior Division, Bob McCallister defeated Daniel O'Connor and 2024 Senior Champion Russell Humphrey in a playoff. The trio finished 2-under after 36 holes as McCallister carded rounds of 69-69 to force the playoff.

Humphrey and O'Connor finished T2, while NCGA Hall-of-Famer Randy Haag finished in solo fourth place at even-par.

In the Women's Division, Yunhua He shot an impressive 5-under 67 in the final round to run away from the field and finish 3-under. She beat the field by five shots behind six birdies and one bogey. Lucinda Wu finished in solo second place at 2-over.

View results for AGC Pacific Grove City

ABOUT THE AGC Pacific Grove City

>> 2025 TOUR PORTAL

Individual championship at the wonderful Pacific Grove Golf Links, known to many as "The Poor Man's Pebble Beach." That's because the back nine plays right along the Pacific Ocean in an out-and-back links style layout. If you haven't played this Monterey Peninsula gem, entering this tournament with a friend or relative is the perfect way to experience it. Field limit 84; 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.