Jim Plotkin of Carlsbad led much of the way en route to winning the 61st Northern California Senior Championship by three strokes over Steve McPherson of Hemet at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.
The 61-year-old Plotkin carded a score of 70-69-73—212, 1-under-par, while McPherson finished at 71-71-73—215, and Randy Haag of Orinda was third at 78-74-69—221, followed by Rich Gleghorn of Santa Cruz at 75-74-72—221 and Stephen Schroeder of Monterey at 75-68-79—222.
By tying for third, Haag clinched the NCGA Senior Player of the Year Award.
“It feels great,” said Plotkin, who claimed his first NCGA title after winning the 2021 Southern California Golf Association Senior Match Play Championship. “One of my goals this year was to win something like this.
“Today was a little tougher (than the first round), but I again hit a lot of greens. This course is tough. It’s a privilege to win here at Poppy Hills. It’s a real shot-maker’s course. You can’t spray it around here.”
Ken Crawford of Elk Grove posted a score of 76-75-72—223 to finish in a big tie for sixth that included Michael Rowley of San Luis Obispo, who shot 76-73-74—223, Mike Staskus of Los Altos, who totaled 72-74-77—223, Dan Young of Redwood City, who finished a 77-70-76—223, and Mark Morgan of Shingle Springs, who wound up at 71-74-78—223.
Previous winners of the NCGA Senior Championship, which was first played in 1962, include Jim Knoll, Casey Boyns, Tony Padilla, Robert Funk, Gary Vanier, Jeff Burda, Jim McMurtrey, Tom Culligan, Jack Bariteau, Ernie Pieper Jr., Cornelius Bertolone, Kai Thomsen and Rob Thompson.
For complete results, visit https://ncga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/ncga22/event/ncga22282/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
