Jeff Hart, a PGA Life Member from Solana Beach, made a par on the first playoff hole to turn back Brian Smock of Coronado and win the 95th Southern California PGA Professional Championship on the Ranch Course http://ranchcourse.com at the Alisal in Solvang.
The 59-year-old Hart became the first player to win the Southern California Senior PGA Professional Championship and Southern California PGA Professional Championship in the same year since Chris Starkjohann in 2010.
“After winning the Southern California Senior PGA Professional Championship, to double up here is just phenomenal,” Hart said after coming from three strokes behind in the final round.
Hart posted a score of 65-66-65—196, 18-under-par, while Smock finished at 64-69-63—196 before making it easy for Hart win by hitting his tee shot out of bounds on the playoff hole.
Smock, who was three strokes down entering the final round, tied the Ranch Course record with a 63, while Hart, who played at USC and captured the 1979 Southern California Amateur Championship, made four consecutive birdies through No. 15 and sank 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
Chad Sorenson of Taft, the 36-hole leader who eagled the first hole for the second straight day to stretch his lead to three strokes, finished third at 64-66-67—197, followed by Chris Gilley of La Quinta, who wound up 66-69-69—204.
Alan Sorensen of Bakersfield totaled 72-67-69—208 to tie for fifth with Paul Holtby of Moorpark, who finished at 69-71-68—208, Vinnie Poncino of San Clemente, who wound up at 69-69-71—208, and 2013 winner Alan Scheer of El Cajon, who came in at 64-68-76—208.
Andrew Kramer of Chino Hills posted a score of 71-70-68—209 to tie for ninth with defending champion Michael Block of Mission Viejo, who shot 70-69-70—209.
Block, who also won the tournament in 2017, finished on top of the SCPGA Section season point standings and claimed Player of the Year Honors for the sixth time in seven years.
Jeffrey Templeton of Glendora shot 67-74-69—210 to tie for 11th with Chris Lempa of Santee, who totaled 68-69-73—210, and the joined the top 10 on qualifying for the PGA Professional Championship at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas, on April 26-29, 2020.
For complete results, visit https://scpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/scpga19/event/scpga19148/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
