STOCKTON, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2012) –Stockton’s Josh Stone took advantage of his local knowledge on route to defending his title at the Stockton City.
Stone opened on Saturday carding the only round in the red with a 4-under-par 68 at the Swenson Park Golf Course. Five strokes off the pace at 73 was Alex Duvivier of Peninsula Golf & Country Club, Ted Engberg of Valley Fellowship Golf Club, Kyle Harman of Manteca Golf Club and Anthony Madrid of Stockton Golf & Country Club. Stone, who works in outside services at both Swenson Park and Van Buskirk, is very familiar with the course as it was his home course playing for San Joaquin Delta College the past few years. When asked about the secret to his success, Stone said:
“After I found out that both rounds would be played at Swenson, I played it twice a week for the last two weeks.”
His practice sure paid off. In his opening round he posted five birdies and one bogey. In Sunday’s round he had 6 birdies and one bogey, firing a 5-under-par 67. Ironically he bogeyed the same hole, the par 4 3rd both days. His two day total of 135 put Stone nine strokes ahead of his competition.
A.J. Borges of Micke Grove GC finished in second at 144 shooting 74, 70. Brandon Toll of E Club Sacramento was one back at 145 (74-71) taking third place. Finishing fourth with 146 was Alex Duvivier Of Peninsula GCC (73-73) and James Wicke of Stockton GCC (74-72.)
Stone has had a good year so far winning both the Davis City in April and the Manteca City in May. Although he missed qualifying for the U.S. Amateur by a few strokes, he has quite a schedule planned for the rest of the year. He will be playing in the NCGA Match Play, the Northern California Open, the Valley Amateur, the State Fair and the Las Po (Las Positas) Open.
“Right now I am working, saving money so I can decide if I want to turn pro in the next one or two years.” Stone said.
With the defense of his title at the Stockton City, winning by a nine stroke margin, one could say he’s definitely on the right track in meeting his goals.
Also of note was a hole-in-one today by John Scholtz at the par 3, 12th.
ABOUT THE
Stockton City Amateur
NCGA Points Event open to any amateur golfer age
15
and over. 36-hole stroke play event with
Championship, Men’s and Women’s Net, and Senior
Net
divisions.
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