Brett Thawley of Saratoga sank a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole that carried him to a one-stroke victory over Jackson Koivun of San Jose in the Amateurgolf.com Pacific Grove City Championship in breezy conditions at Pacific Grove Golf Links.
One of Thawley’s playing partners had a similar putt from a little farther away, but he didn’t watch on the par-3 hole next to Crespi Pond.
“I actually looked away from it,” said Thawley, who played at San Jose State. “I did that a few times today where I watched and it messed me up. So I just went with my instincts and completely turned away, believe it or not.
“I think the wind helped me out. I played last week down in Stockton in a two-man event and it was blowing out there even at 8:30 in the morning. I kept it under the wind there and I think that helped me out here this week.”
Thawley posted a score of 71-68—139, 1-under-par, while Koivun finished at 72-68—140, while Wyatt McGovern of Hillsborough shot 75-67—142 to tie for third with Curtis Da Silva of Monterey, who finished at 74-68—142, and J.J. West of Pacific Grove, who wound up at 72-70—142.
“Right off this first hole is a cemetery where my great-grandparents are buried,” said Thawley, adding that it gave his victory a little extra meaning. “They had a vacation home here and when they passed they wanted to be buried as close to the golf course as possible. So that was kind of neat.”
Jerry Ledzinski of Carmel was sixth at 71-73—144, while Cameron Keith of Alamo totaled 78-67—145 to tie for seventh with Ben Soicher of Mill Valley, who finished at 73-72—145, and Kush Arora of Pleasanton, who wound up at 72-73—145.
Colin Keith of Alamo posted a score of 75-71—146 to tie for 10th with A.J. Fitzgerald of Salinas, who shot 73-73—146, and Adrian Davis of San Leandro, who also came in at 73-73—146.
Pete Higgins of Mercer Island Wash., totaled 73-69—142 to capture the Senior Championship by one stroke over Casey Boyns of Pacific Grove, who missed a birdie putt on the final hole and finished 69-74—143, while Todd Barsotti of Fresno, who wound up at 71-73—144.
John Borrelli of Newman coasted to a seven-stroke victory in Net Division with a score of 69-74—143, while Tom Silva of Turlock totaled 79-71—150 to tie for second with Bart Goldie of Mill Valley, who finished at 74-76—150.
For complete results, visit https://www.amateurgolf.com/images/uploads/00065866.pdf
