Tournament Overview

The State Fair Men's Amateur Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious Amateur Championships in the West. The Championship is limited to 108 players. Competition commences over a 54-hole stroke play format with 18 holes played each day. The field is cut after 36 holes to the low 36 players & ties.

Course

Tournament News

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  California State Fair: Emil Nielsen makes three straight birdies to win in playoff
  Sep 02, 2024 - Nielsen and Charlie Berridge faced off in a playoff, where Nielsen needed three holes and three birdies to secure the win
• 
  California State Fair: Matthew Sutherland runs away from the field to win
  Sep 04, 2023 - Sutherland shot a final round 5-under 67 to finish 18-under and win by six shots.
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  California State Fair: Matthew Sutherland holds comfortable lead after second round
  Sep 03, 2023 - Sutherland has shot rounds of 67-64 to hold a three-shot lead heading into the final round
• 
  California State Fair: Dumdumaya is youngest winner in 98 years
  Sep 05, 2022 - On a 110-degree Sacramento Labor Day, 16-year-old Jaden Dumdumaya posted 13-under to edge Michael Cliff, who fired 64, by a shot
• 
  Tony Chen wins California State Fair Championship
  Sep 06, 2021 - Cal freshman fends off five golfers for one-stroke victory at Haggin Oaks
• 
  Tilly emerges from tight leaderboard to win State Fair Amateur
  Sep 07, 2020 - In a tight three-way battle, Cal-Berkeley senior Finigan Tilly grinds out a one-shot win at Haggin Oaks
• 
  California State Fair Amateur: Hathcoat pushes ahead with 64
  Sep 06, 2020 - Blake Hathcoat takes a 1-shot lead into the final round; Tess Blair, Chris Miller, and Jeff Burda win State Fair titles
• 
  California State Fair: six tied for lead after round one
  Sep 05, 2020 - The State Fair Men's, Women's and Senior/Super Senior championships are all underway in Northern California
• 
  Bling defends California State Fair title in playoff
  Sep 02, 2019 - Bling becomes the first champion to defend his title since Robert Hamilton won back-to-back events in 2000-01.
• 
  Cliff fires second-round 64 for Cal State Fair lead over Bling
  Sep 01, 2019 - Michael Cliff had six birdies on his back nine to sprint into the lead.
• 
  Oregon State teammates lead California State Fair Am
  Aug 31, 2019 - Kyosuke Hara and Carson Barry each had an opening round of 7-under 65 to set the pace.
• 
  Devon Bling wins the 94th California State Fair Amateur
  Sep 03, 2018 - The UCLA sophomore gets a win two weeks after his memorable runner-up finish at the U.S. Amateur
• 
  State Fair Amateur: Cohn Leads Bling, Carper by 1
  Sep 02, 2018 - 37-year-old Matt Cohn leads U.S. Am runner-up Devon Bling and first-round leader Lucas Carper by one shot with one round to go
• 
  Cal State Fair Amateur: Blake Abercrombie Wins in Style
  Sep 04, 2017 - Late birdies were key for the Sacramento native who tweeted on his final three holes en route to a two shot victory at Haggin Oaks
• 
  Hometown Golfer Looks to Close at Cal State Fair Amateur
  Sep 03, 2017 - Blake Abercrombie is right at home at Haggin Oaks, and it's showing. He's bogey free after 36-holes and leads by two strokes
• 
  Cal State Fair Amateur: 3 Shoot 66 to Hold 18-Hole Lead
  Sep 02, 2017 - Despite playing in 104 degree heat, three were able to play it cool enough to establish a lead in Sacramento
• 
  Ramiz Jamal Wins California State Fair Amateur
  Sep 05, 2016 - UC Irvine sophomore Ramiz Jamal fired a bogey-free 66 to claim the 92nd California State Fair
• 
  Three Tied Atop California State Fair Men's Amateur Leaderboard
  Sep 04, 2016 - First-round leader Byran Wise leads alongside Ben Corfee and Patrick Murphy
• 
  Trevor Clayton wins California State Fair in playoff
  Sep 07, 2015 - Trevor Clayton would not be beat during Monday afternoon's playoff with Jooho Lee, making birdie on all four extra holes at Haggin Oaks
• 
  KK Limbhasut inches ahead for 36-hole lead at California State Fair
  Sep 06, 2015 - UC-Berkeley sophomore KK Limbhasut, originally from Thailand, posted 68 on day two at Haggin Oaks to take a one-shot lead to the final round
• 
  Limbhasut, Smith share first-round lead at California State Fair
  Sep 05, 2015 - Cal-Berkeley sophomore KK Limbhasut of Thailand and UC-Santa Barbara sophomore Zach Smith posted 67 on day one at Haggin Oaks
• 
  Pereira continues summer roll at California State Fair
  Sep 01, 2014 - Corey Pereira, winner of the Pacific Coast Amateur earlier this summer by eight shots, wins the California State Fair by two
• 
  De Los Reyes shoots 66 again, leads by one at Calif. State Fair
  Aug 31, 2014 - St. Mary's College junior has shot consecutive rounds of 66 to lead the California State Fair Amateur entering the final round
• 
  Calif. State Fair: Going low in Sacto!
  Aug 30, 2014 - KK Limbhasut and Corey Pereira post 7-under 67s to lead as play gets underway in historic Sacramento event that now attracts a national field
• 
  Calif. State Fair: Cody Paladino wins
  Sep 02, 2013 - Cody Paladino bested a duo of Cal Bears to take the 2013 California State Fair title at Haggin Oaks
• 
  Hagy takes California State Fair title
  Sep 03, 2012 - Brandon Hagy edged Cal Bears teammate Max Homa by one shot to win the State Fair Men's at Haggin Oaks
• 
  Hagy leads at California State Fair
  Sep 02, 2012 - Cal Bear Brandon Hagy leads the field and teammate Max Homa by two shots entering the final round
• 
  California State Fair: Hagy, Hansen, Gonzales share lead
  Sep 01, 2012 - Defending champion Matt Hansen started off strong Saturday; he's tied with Brandon Hagy and Juan Gonzales at 7-under
• 
  Calif. State Fair: Hansen rallies for win at 17-under
  Sep 03, 2011 - Matt Hansen fired a final round 6-under 66 to win by one shot over Jake Johnson
• 
  California State Fair: Rappleye ties course record with final round 63
  Sep 06, 2010 - Grant Rappleye comes from 7 back to win State Fair by 3 strokes
• 
  Record in sight for Johnson at State Fair
  Sep 05, 2010 - Pace Johnson of Fresno fires 8-under 64 on Sunday; he takes a 5-shot lead into the final round and has a shot at breaking the tournament scoring record at historic Sacramento event
• 
  Hallisey Wins California State Fair in Playoff
  Sep 08, 2009 - Ryan Hallisey of Granite Bay, CA beats Brandon Hagy of Westlake Village, CA in a playoff to win the State Fair Amateur at Haggin Oaks
• 
  California State Fair: Grush holds on for victory
  Sep 01, 2008 - UC Santa Barbara's Matt Grush rides out victory at Haggin Oaks following his opening-round 64
• 
  California State Fair: Grush leads after second round
  Aug 31, 2008 - UC Santa Barbara Matt Grush holds two-stroke lead after two rounds
• 
  California State Fair: Harkins the victor
  Sep 03, 2007 - Brandon Harkins dominates 17th hole for third straight day to swing title to his favor
• California State Fair: Niger Finally Wins One
  Sep 04, 2006 - Bob Niger -- who started the day tied for 15th place -- posted a final round of 65 to win his first State Fair title

On July 14th, 1925 a meeting of the Board of Directors and Tournament Committee of Del Paso Country Club was held. The question of holding a golf tournament during the State Fair was agreed upon. The event would take place at Del Paso C.C. on Labor Day Weekend. A week before the inaugural event, the Sacramento Clearing House donated a perpetual trophy costing $1000 to be awarded to the State Fair Champion See past champions list. The inaugural event was won by Geo Richie, from the Olympic Club.

For 80 years, the State Fair has been the premiere amateur championship in the area. To continue this premiere status, the championship evolved every year, always focusing on the players. The following lists some of the significant changes to the State Fair Championship:

1958 - State Fair goes from Match Play to Stroke Play
1964 - With too many entries, the State Fair Handicap moves to Ancil Hoffman
1996 - The State Fair Women's is created & hosted at Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course
1997 - The State Fair Senior is created & hosted at Mather Golf Course
1998 - The State Fair Junior is created & hosted at Haggin Oaks Golf Course
2003 - The State Fair Masters is created & hosted at Bing Maloney Golf Course
2003 - The State Fair Men's Amateur Championship receives National Status

The single most influential person in the success of the championship is Frank Freer. As the Tournament Director for over 50 years, Frank has dedicated himself to the championship and is always a favorite among the players.

PAST CHAMPIONS

2024 Emil Nielsen
2023 Matthew Sutherland
2022 Jaden Dumdumaya
2021 Tony Chen
2020 Finigan Tilly
2019 Devon Bling
2018 Devon Bling
2017 Blake Abercrombie
2016 Ramiz Jamal
2015 Trevor Clayton
2014 Corey Pereira
2013 Cody Paladino
2012 Brandon Hagy
2011 Matt Hansen
2010 Grant Rappleye
2009 Ryan Hallisey
2008 Matt Grush
2007 Brandon Harkins
2006 Bob Niger
2005 Erik Flores
2004 Peter Campbell
2003 Eric Restrepo
2002 JJ Jakovac
2001 Robert Hamilton
2000 Robert Hamilton
1999 T.J. Moulton
1998 Gregg Wilkinson
1997 John Enright
1996 Chris Candelario
1995 Kris Isackson
1994 Joe Acosta Jr
1993 Rob Martin III
1992 Joey Ferrari
1991 Mike Lane
1990 Joey Ferrari
1989 Lou Alvarez
1988 Steve Simpkin
1987 John Kannaday
1986 Lou Alvarez
1985 Joe Tamburino
1984 Kevin Sutherland
1983 Clifford Smith
1982 Robert Meyer
1981 Phil Arinno
1980 Jim Sanderson
1979 Jerry Wilson
1978 Phil Arinno
1977 Phil Arinno
1976 Vic Calicchia
1975 Roland Lamontagne
1974 Phil Arinno
1973 Jack Koski
1972 Barry Hansen
1971 Pete Gutierrez
1970 Ray Arinno
1969 Ray Arinno
1968 Rob Amerian
1967 Ray Arinno
1966 Roland Lamontagne
1965 Barry Hansen
1964 Bob E. Smith
1963 George Archer
1962 Dick Lotz
1961 Dick Lotz
1960 Verne Callison
1959 Kent Winton
1958 Verne Callison
1957 Elmer Clites
1956 John McMullin
1955 Allen Geiberger
1954 Jim Tom Blair
1953 Verne Callison
1952 Verne Callison
1951 Frank Toronto
1950 Ken Venturi
1949 Bill Ogden Jr.
1948 Martin Stanovich
1947 Verne Callison
1946 Larry Crockett
1945 Earl Stewart
1944 Verne Callison
1943 Verne Callison
1942 Bill Ogden Jr.
1941 Ralph Presby
1940 Ralph Presby
1939 Frank Toronto
1938 Jack Colmar
1937 H.J. Dufour
1936 H.J. Dufour
1935 Orv Suttles
1934 Dennis Hession
1933 Arthur Sato
1932 Irv Jenkins
1928 to 1931 not held
1927 Eddie Lyon
1926 M.E. Pendleton
1925 George Richie