Two-time defending champion Craig Davis of Chula Vista pulled away in the final round to run away with the 42nd Southern California Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship by 10 strokes at El Niguel Country Club http://www.elniguelcc.com in Laguna Niguel.
Davis joined John Olive (2001-03) as the only players to claim the title straight times. The others to win back-to-back were Ed Rieu (1993-94), Bud Bradley (1991-92) and Ted Richards Jr. (1980-81).
“When they announced my name on the first tee (in round one) that I had won two times in the row, I went on to bogey three out of the first four holes and thought, ‘Oh boy it’s going to be a tough week,” said Davis, the reigning SCGA Senior Player of the Year. “But I settled down and tried not to let things like let that get to me.
“Being only one stroke back today, I felt I was in a good spot and just wanted to go out and play really hard. I just wanted to go out and have a good score. This feels really good.”
Davis, who came from eight strokes behind in the final round to win last year, was one down this time when he birdied the first two holes and he added three more birdies on the back nine to shoot 4-under-par 68, making his only bogey at No. 8.
Shooting under par in each round, Davis finished at 70-71-68—209, 7-under.
Don DuBois of Newport Beach shot 71-72-76—219 to tie for second with Jim Ream of Cerritos, who finished at 71-74-74—219, while Mark Nickeas of Westlake Village totaled 73-74-73—220 to tie for fourth with Casey Boyns of Monterey, who wound up at 69-75-76—220.
Anthony Ventura of Spring Valley carded a score of 74-71-76—221 to tie for sixth with Craig Calkins of Manhattan Beach, who finished at 72-77-72—221, and Dave Sheff of Dana Point, who totaled 73-72-76—221.
Tim Plotkin of Carlsbad shot 69-76-77—222 to tie for ninth with Mike Rowley of San Luis Obispo, who finished at 71-77-74—222, and 36-hole leader Tim Dudek, who came in at 71-69-82—222.
For complete results, visit https://scga-2019scgasenioramateurchampionshipex.golfgenius.com/pages/1778928
