ALAMEDA, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2018) -- Ryan Grauman has been having quite the year at the official home course of AmateurGolf.com.
This summer, the St. Mary’s freshman beat the Bay Area's best in the storied Alameda Commuter's Cup, which was played at Corica Park’s North Course. On Sunday, at the newly constructed South Course, Grauman captured yet another title. His final-round 65, the lowest competitive round of any player so far on the Rees Jones layout, sealed his Winter Invitational victory.
Grauman didn’t waste any time getting started after his 10 a.m. tee time, making a birdie on the first hole and immediately taking a share of the lead. For the rest of the round, it would be a battle between Grauman and Pepperdine’s Joshua McCarthy, the top-ranked amateur in the field this week and the first-round leader.
“At the beginning of the day, I was supposed to be chasing him,” Grauman said after his round. “I started off on the first hole making a birdie and tying him. Then for the rest of the front nine and a few holes on the back nine it was just neck and neck. I’d try to get ahead, then he would tie me, then go ahead by a stroke, then I would tie it back.”
Grauman began his final push on No. 12, taking the lead and never looking back as he grinded his way to another win at Corica Park. It wouldn’t come without some form of restitution though, with the skies opening just as he rolled in a two-putt birdie on the par-5 15th. Rain continued to pour down until he reached the scoring table.
‘“It was tough coming in. My first swing in the rain was on the par-3 16th, and I chunked it left and short, but you just have to adjust as you go, and I was able to make birdies on 17 and 18.”
Neil Duffy made some magic Sunday in the senior division, following up an opening-round 81 with a 3-under 69 in Round 2. His comeback included nine birdies on the track, which beats his previous single-round birdie record of four.
Frank Pieper followed up a solid opening-round 75 with an even better 72 in Sunday’s windy conditions, which was good enough to set up a senior division win by one shot over Brentwood’s Mark Miller.
In the women's division, Tammy Lim was able to hold on to her lead en route to a victory this weekend. She posted a 76 on Sunday, one better than her Saturday total and good enough to win the event by seven shots over runner-up Kelsi Valenzuela.
Brisbane’s Lyle Covino took home net champion honors with a 1-over 73 to back up his even-par opening round. He edged out John O’Malley by a single stroke.
Thank you to all participants for making the first AmateurGolf.com event played at the official home course of AmateurGolf.com a huge success!
ABOUT THE AGC Winter Invitational
>> TOUR PORTAL
The Winter Invitational is now open to all
players who satisfy the handicap
requirements.
Join us at the completely renovated Corica Park
South Course -- it's the home course of
AmateurGolf.com!
This is a gross competition with Championship and
Senior divisions. There will be no Net
division.
DIVISIONS
CHAMPIONSHIP
For players aged 16 and over who have a USGA or
equivalent index of less than 5.5
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
For players age 50 and over (as of the tournament
date) with a handicap index of less than 8.0. Note:
Must be 55 and over for NCGA Senior Points.
MID-AM (subdivision of Championship)
For players age
25-
49. Compete alongside the younger players in the
Championship Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and if there are at least six Mid-Ams,
a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded.
SUPER SENIORS (subdivision of Senior)
For players age
65+. Compete alongside the younger senior players
in
the
Senior Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and if there are at least six players 65
or
over, a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded for low
super senior.
WOMEN (subdivision of Championship)
Will play in the
Championship
Division but
from a shorter tee. If there are at least six women in
the field, a separate prize and trophy will be
awarded.
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