Haggin Oaks

Nielsen defeated Charlie Berridge in a playoff to win the 2024 California State Fair Men's Championship at Haggin Oaks, the Alister MacKenzie Course, in Sacramento, Calif., as he now heads to Santa Clara for his freshman season.

The Massachusetts native and IMG Academy graduate finished 12-under to tie Berridge for the lead at the end of regulation and won on the second playoff hole with a birdie.

Nielsen carded rounds of 67-70-67, including a bogey-free 5-under 67 in the final round to get to 12-under.

Berridge finished in solo second place, Ben Friedman finished in solo third place at 11-under. Friedman birdied holes No. 17 and 18 to get to one shot back of the leaders. 

Daniel Heo, Charlie Chomyn, and Baron Szeto finished T4 at 10-under. 

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

Since its inception in 1932, Haggin Oaks has hosted dozens of PGA professionals. Players like Bill Glasson, Johnny Miller, and Bob Murphy have contributed to the storied history here.

Ken Venturi won the 1950 California State Fair Championship here before going on to win 14 times on the PGA tour and moving on to the broadcast booth. Even the great Byron Nelson participated in the Sacramento Open at Haggin Oaks.

But the fantastic history of Haggin Oaks is made even better by the non-professional celebrities who have taken part in one or more of the myriad charity events and clinics hosted at the Haggin Oaks complex, where the focus is as much on community and player development as it is on championship golf.

Over the years, stars like Babe Ruth and Bob Hope have contributed to the celebrity while teachers like Hank Haney and Ken Morton Senior have helped thousands of students learn the game of golf.