Kyle Mendoza of Oceanside sank a 20-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the last hole to capture the 97th Southern California PGA Professional Championship, claiming the title for the second straight year by one stroke over Jeff Hart of Solana Beach on Mendoza’s home course at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe.
Mendzoa, who was coming off a recent bout with Covid-19 and a back injury, became the 10th player to win the SCPGA title in consecutive years.
“The fact that I was able to come out here and play the way I did was pretty cool,” said Mendoza, who earned an exemption into the 2022 The American Express on the PGA Tour and the use of a custom Club Car golf cart for a year. “It will always be special to me for the rest of my life.”
Mendoza posted a score of 73-68-68—209, 7-under-par, while Hart, the 2019 SCPGA Professional champion, finished at 70-70-70—210 after missing his own 20-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the final hole.
Michael Block of Mission Viejo was third at 73-67-71—211, followed by Mike Geddes of Coronado 72-69-71—212, Brian Smock, also of Coronado at 71-72-72—215, and Rick Garboski of Westlake Village of at 71-74-72—217.
Block, who was the last player to win the SCPGA Professional Championship in consecutive years in 2018 and 2019, earned enough points to capture the SCPGA Player of the Year Award for the eighth time in the last nine seasons after winning the SCPGA Chapter Championship, the SCPGA Match Play Championship, the SCPGA Pro-Pro Scramble and the SCPGA Chapter Championship this year.
Ryan Kennedy of Ventura, the 2014 winner of this tournament, shot 75-72-71—218 to tie for seventh with Andrew Kramer of Chino Hills, who finished at 73-70-75—218, while Paul Dietsche of Redlands totaled 76-72-71—219 to tie for ninth with Alen Sorensen of Bakersfield, who finished 72-74-73—219 and Chi Choi of Fullerton, who came in at 73-70-76—219.
For complete results, visit https://scpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/scpga21/event/scpga21134/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
