Jake Ledbetter is looking for his second
Simi Valley Championship
(SBCC Athletics Phto)

Jake Ledbetter, the 2015 Simi City Champion, played this year’s first round in champion style, with a score of 65, or 6-under-par to take the lead heading into Sunday's final round. One stroke off the pace with a score of 66 is Jordan McBrayer (Carlsbad), a student golfer at Regis University, followed by the two-time Southern California Golfer of the Year and last month’s Southern California Mid-Amateur winner, Dan Sullivan (Pasadena).

According to Simi Hills General Manager and Head Professional, Brian Reed, having so many players return year after year for this event is a testimonial to both the event and to the course. Says Reed, “The Simi City tournament has become a mainstay on the local golf circuit – so much so that we find that players plan their calendars around the event. This year we have golfers returning to the event from San Diego, Arizona and Nevada, as well as everywhere in Southern California.”

Reed continued, “Again this year, the course is in the very best condition, with greens running fast and true. Our grounds superintendent, Jeff Hache, and his staff show great care for the course all the times, but all the stops are pulled out for this event. This TLC shows to everyone competing in the event and is very much appreciated.”

After the first round, the Senior Championship flight leaders are Mike Hoyle (Chatsworth), who shot 1-under-par 70, followed by Bob Valerio (Hawthorne) at even-par 71. Third place after the first round is held by Ajay Dhawan (Montrose), with a score of 73.

In the A flight, two Simi Valley residents are in the lead. Jeff Harkness leads the gross score competition with a score of 75, followed by Nabih Khoury with a 76. Khoury’s net score of 68 leads the flight, while Harkness’s net 70 puts him in a tie for second low net with Rob Masters (La Crescenta).

The B flight gross score leader is Edward Rosenstock (Los Angeles), who shot 8 over par 79, followed by a pair of 80’s posted by Carlos Salazar and Eric Santo, both from Simi Valley. The B flight net score leader after the first round, with a net score of 67, is Stephen Canterbury (Moorpark). Two strokes back with net 69s are Rosenstock and Ross Gould (Chatsworth).

The Senior A flight gross and net competition leader is Rodney Delaplane (Canyon Country) with a score of 71 for a net score of 63. In second place (gross) is Bill Clark (North Hollywood), who also tied for second low net with Maurice Choi (Lake Havasu City, AZ) with scores of net 68.

In the Senior B flight, A J Winkler (Thousand Oaks) is leading after the first round with a score of 80, which also puts him in second place in the net competition with a net 68. Second place gross is held by Ross Geller (Simi Valley), shooting 81, while the net score leader is Eduardo Perez (Simi Valley) with a net 67.

The City Championship concludes on Sunday at Simi Hills Golf Course. This premier city championship is celebrating its 36th year of competition. Spectators are welcome to follow the competition at the course. Play resumes at 6:30 am, with the championship flight starting at 11:42 am.

Editors Note: The article was provided Simi Valley City Golf Championship Tournament Director Jackie Cochran