Randy Haag of Orinda and Tim Hogarth of Northridge have gone head-to-head many times over the years, and this time Haag came out on top.
The 62-year-old Haag, who has won more than 100 amateur tournaments over the years and is a six-time Northern California Golf Association Player of the year, matched Hogarth’s five-foot birdie putt on the last hole to win the 30th California Senior Amateur Championship by one strokes at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles.
“We’ve have had many battles, Tim and I, over the years,” said Haag, who also won the Southern California Senior Amateur and the Moot Thomas Invitational this year. “You play your whole life for these special moments to be able to perform when it counts most.
“I sometimes don’t like to know where I stand but, in that case, I knew that I was then tied with (Hogarth). This is a dream for me. Golf is pretty much my life and I get to play great venues like this and hang out with my friends. To win a tournament that is a state title, it really is a dream come true for me.
“This venue was really well suited for my game. It seems like Southern California has been really good to me in the two events I’ve played down here this year.”
Haag, a member of the NCGA Hall of Fame, finished with a score of 70-70-70—210, while Hogarth, who won the Los Angeles City Championship this year and the Pasadena City Championship the last two years among many other amateur titles, wound up at 70-73-68—211.
Robert Funk of Canyon Lake, the defending champion, shot 69-74-72—215 to tie for third with Don DuBois of Newport Beach, who finished at 66-71-78—215, while John O’Donnell of Los Angeles was fifth at 72-72-73—217.
Jeff Wilson of Fairfield, the 2018 champion, totaled 74-70-74—218 to tie for sixth with Dennis Martin of Los Angeles, who wound up at 73-69-76—218, while Jim Plotkin of Carlsbad shot 71-76-72—219 to tie for eighth with Greg Galasso of San Jose, who finished a 76-70-73—219, and Joey Ferrari of Stockton, who came in at 74-71-74—219.
Jeff Burda of Modesto, who won the tournament in 2008-09-10, tied for 11th at 72-74-74—220, while 2014 champion John Pate of Santa Barbara tied for 24th at 75-75-74—224, and 2013 winner Jim Knoll of Sunnyvale tied for 29th at 73-76-75—224.
For complete results, visit https://calam-30thcaliforniasenioramateurchampio.golfgenius.com/pages/6964280953644536689
