Chase Sienkiewicz of Carmichael pulled away in the final round to win the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic by five strokes over Brandon Gama of Santa Barbara and Ethan Farnam of Crystal Lake, Ill., at Del Monte Golf Course https://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/del-monte-golf-course in Monterey.
The 6-foot-3 Sienkiewicz, a senior at Jesuit High School in Carmichael who has committed to the University of Arizona, carded a score of 69-67—136, 8-under-par, while Gama and Farnam both finished at 71-70—141.
“I had a nice runner-up finish this summer at the Junior Worlds at Torrey Pines,” said Sienkiewicz, who birdied three straight holes through No. 8 to take command and saved par with along putt at No. 12. “But it feels good bringing home my first amateur victory over a field with many Division I golfers.
“That was big (on the 12th hole). I really didn’t want to drop a shot there.”
In his junior days, Sienkiewicz captured the 2014 Sacramento County Junior Championship and the 2017 Northern California Qualifying Tournament for the Junior Worlds.
Lucas Carper of San Jose was fourth at 70-72—142, while Caleb Shelter of Saratoga shot 71-72—143 to tie for fifth with Justin Hopkins if Danville, who finished at 72-71—143, and Jacob Westberg of Sacramento, who wound up at 70-73—143.
Matthew Sutherland of Carmichael was eighth at 71-73—144, while Jonathan Tanihana of Sacramento, Armand Melendez of Salinas and Scott Raber all totaled 73-72—145 to tie for ninth.
Glenn Andrade of Napa, Calif., successfully defended his Senior Division title with a score of 74-73—147, while Jeff Britton of Carmel shot 74-74—148 to tie for second with Steve Donnelly of Salinas, who finished at 75-73—148.
David Nelson of Reno totaled 77-73—150 to tie for fourth with Andrew Gabelman of Barrington, Ill., who came in at 74-76—150.
For complete results, visit http://www.amateurgolf.com/amateur-golf-tournaments/8256/AmateurGolf-com-2018-Christmas-Classic-presented-by-Callaway-Golf?view=results
