Pacific Palisades, CA (February 19, 2011) — Southern California PGA Section champion Jon Fiedler entered the Northern Trust Open as the oldest player in the field. At 58, the Las Posas CC teaching professional knew making the cut would be almost miraculous even though he had experience at Riviera in the past. “I made it in as an amateur in 1976 my first time here, and again in 81,” said Jon battling a bit of a cold. “I played here again as section champion in ’93 and now in 2011. Wow, that’s 35 years. Pretty good ride.” His start to this year’s tournament was memorable as he eagled the par 5, 1st then gave it right back at number two. Still he trudged along, being out driven by his paying partners Scott Piercy and Tommy Gainey by 50 yards. A horrendous quadruple bogey on #5 really ruined his chances when he couldn’t get his ball out of the tall grass on the left of the fairway and eventually taking an unplayable lie leading to a 9 on the par 4. That said, he was not terribly disappointed after rounds of 76 – 78. “It was a real treat to get in this week,” he said. “I mean I turn 58 next week so it’s kid of sweet to play here in this event with all these great players. They hit it so far that I am not in their league. Still I enjoyed it immensely.”
Jon is not short on pro tournament experience however having played in seven Champions Tour events in 2007 alone. He also played in the ’07 Senior PGA championship and Senior U.S. Open. To get into the Northern Trust he had to qualify at Glendora CC in the section championship where there was one spot available with 90 players. He got the lone spot. A little more than three weeks prior he qualified in Oceanside for the lone spot into the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines where it was 81 players. “Yeah, I’m a lucky duck,” he said smiling. “I played with Ben Martin in San Diego, a nice young man that was 36 years younger than me and I out weighed by 50 pounds. Yeah, I’ve been playing this game for a while.” For his regular gig Jon teaches at Las Posas, the home course for Corey Pavin, and a youngster that Jon had known most of his life. “It’s nice to see Corey playing well this week. He’s a helluva player.” Fiedler will again try to Monday qualify in two weeks, this time at Goose Creek GC in Norco for a chance to play in the Toshiba Senior Classic at Newport Beach CC. “That’s a tough little golf course,” he muttered. “These kids hit the ball so far. Hopefully I’ll get in Newport where it’s more of where I belong.” They say good things come in threes so maybe the “lucky duck” Fiedler can do just that.
By Wil Barnes
