Darren Ernst of Trabuco Canyon claimed the biggest victory of his amateur career.
The 51-year-old Ernst, who last won in the 2000 Newport Beach Open, won the Long Beach Senior Amateur Championship by one stroke over four players at El Dorado Park Golf Course in Long Beach.
The tournament is part of the Long Beach Golf Festival.
Ernst, a former teaching pro at Meadowlark Golf Club in Huntington Beach, made three birdies down the stretch before a par on the final hole gave him the victory.
Those birdies on the 15th, 16th and 17th holes helped Ernst finish at 74-70-70—214, while Jason Pridmore of Ventura shot 72-73-70—215 to tie for second with Mark Miller of Marina, who totaled 73-71-71—215, Mike Mims of Los Angeles, who finished at 71-73-71—215, and Jim Plotkin of Carlsbad, who wound up at 72-70-73—215.
Phillip Hurlbut of West Hills was sixth at 70-72-74—216, while Robert Funk of Canyon Lake, who finished at 77-70-70—217 to tie for seventh with Ken Cruz of Long Beach, who wound up at 70-77-70—217, and Oscar Alejandre of Bellflower, who came in at 69-75-73—217, while David Oas of Carlsbad was 10th at 76-72-71—219.
Beau Wesson of Cerritos claimed the Net Championship by five strokes with a score of 73-74-76—223, while Mike Graham of Los Angeles was second at 75-79-74—228, followed by Kelly Glaim of Burbank at 81-77-78—236, Lou Pica of Long Beach at 79-80-78—237, and Rich Singer of Menlo Park at 76-79-84—239.
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