Mike Perchak (NCGA Photo)
Alamo resident
Mike Perchak has become the latest 'Mr. Valley Amateur.'
Perchak followed up a sizzling opening round 6-under 66 at Winchester CC with a final round 73 to win by five shots over runner-up
Jerry Ledzinski.
In 2023,
Perchak won the Valley Am title, thanks in part to an all-time NCGA record 18-hole score of 12-under 61 at Dragonfly GC. The 33-year-old property manager becomes the fourth player to go back-to-back at the event, joining Steven Chung (2009-09), Nick Randazzo (2015-16) and Jason Anthony (2020-21).
"It's an honor to go back-to-back. I am so proud of it," Perchak said. "I am absolutely thrilled."
Perchak is currently ranked No. 587 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com U.S. Rankings.
Back in early May, Perchak and partner Mikey Burkland came up just short at the NCGA Four-Ball Championship, finishing as runner-up. Heading into the Valley Am, Perchak was coming off a ninth-place finish at the annual Memorial Tournament at Ancil Hoffman. Burkland won the 2024 San Francisco City.
At Winchester, he missed only one green in regulation over his 36 holes. He'd also only three-putt twice.
"I was just hitting fairways and greens. And I kept putting it in the right spot on the greens," Perchak said.
Heading into the event, Perchak had only played Winchester once in a practice round. He'd temporarily be threatened by Lequan Wang and Ledzinski in the final round but made a clutch birdie--hitting his wedge tee shot on the par-3 7th hole to 4 feet--to regain a cushion.
"That birdie on No.7 was huge. Any time you play in an NCGA event, you definitely get up for it," Perchak said.
Ledzinski finished at 144 following a final round 73. Nick Randazzo finished in third place at 148 following a card-off over Matt Cohn and Andrew Warren.
SENIOR AMATEUR
Chris Miller Brentwood resident
Chris Miller stayed in a groove and picked up his first NCGA title.
Miller, 64, wrapped up a wire-to-wire win, carding a final round 1-over 73 to come in at 143 and defeat runner-up Bill Bunce by five strokes. Just a week earlier, Miller won the Santa Clara County Senior.
"It's a really good win for me," said Miller, who still works in medical surgical sales. "My ball striking with my irons has vastly improved."
Miller also had a hot putter to go with his strong iron play. He never three-putted once over his 36 holes.
"I hit the ball to the right spot on the greens, and that made scoring easier," Miller said.
Bunce finished at 148 after a final round low 70. Third place went to Andy Gabelman at 149.
ABOUT THE
NCGA Valley Amateur
Played for the first time in 2004 as a replacement
for
the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valley
championships, the NCGA Valley Amateur has
become a staple in the tournament season. The 36-
hole
stroke play event is played at a venue in the San
Joaquin or Sacramento valley each year and
provides
a top-level championship opportunity. Open to
players with a handicap index of 5.4 or less, and
seniors
with a 7.4 handicap index or less.
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