Keith Moles of Santa Maria posted a final-round 3-under 67 and virtually went wire-to-wire to capture the 59th Santa Barbara City Golf Championships by six strokes over Collin Waring of San Diego at the Santa Barbara Golf Club.
Moles, who recently completed his freshman season at UC Santa Barbara after playing at of Righetti High in Santa Maria, posted a score of 64-71-67—202, 8-under-par.
“I made a 30-footer for birdie on the No. 1 handicap hole and then I eagled No. 9, which was a real momentum shift,” said Moles, who took a three-stroke lead into the final round. “I hit driver and had 211 yards left on the ninth. I hit a soft 4-iron to eight feet behind the pin.
“The lead got down to two early in the round and I was getting a little nervous. Once I eagled nine, I was pretty confident I would finish it out. I kind of wanted to shoot another 64. I was hitting it really well and I hit almost every green with lots of two-putts. I didn’t really make any birdies (down the stretch) and I didn’t want to mess up. Fairways and greens all the way home.
“I’m pretty excited to be the Santa Barbara City champion. I haven’t won a tournament in like 10 months and I haven’t played well in a while. This is kind of a shock.”
Waring, who played at San Marcos High and San Diego State, finished at 70-70-68—208, despite a torn labrum in his right hip.
Jonathan Collins of Santa Barbara High totaled 71-67- 72—210 to tie for third with Ethan Ashbrook, a senior at Righetti headed to St. Mary’s College, who shot 70-69-71—210, while Brandon Gama finished at 73-71-67—211 to tie for fifth with Jake Williams, who wound up at 70-71-70—211.
Brian Helton, the 2012 Santa Barbara City champion, struggled in the final round and finished at 67-71-74—212 and tied for seventh with Mason Glinski (73-69-70—212), Ben Tumble (70-72-70—212), and Niels Anderson (71-70-71—212).
Danny Carroll shot 73 and won the Palmer Flight at 212. Other flight winners were Derrick Ford (Hogan Flight, 73—218), J.R. Tricase (Nicklaus Flight, 69—210) and John Dwyer (Trevino Flight, 70—212).
For complete results, visit http://www.amateurgolf.com/images/uploads/00042969.pdf.
