Mitchell Hoey (AmateurGolf.com Photo)
Mitchell Hoey of Alamo, Calif., hit what he called the "best flop shot of his entire life" to set up a birdie on No. 17 to win the Championship Division of the AmateurGolf.com 2024 San Diego Amateur, presented by Callaway Golf at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, Calif., by one shot.
Hoey finished 5-under, while Alexander Elia of Coronado, Calif., finished in solo second place at 4-under. Elia was 6-under with two holes remaining, but he made a double bogey on No. 17 to fall to 4-under.
As Hoey entered the final stretch of holes, he knew he needed a birdie to avoid a playoff with Elia in the clubhouse at 4-under.
"I was watching the scoreboard for the last three holes," Hoey said. "I was trying to avoid it for the most part, but I knew where I was and wanted to see what was in (the clubhouse)."
The senior at St. Mary's College by way of De La Salle High School followed up the birdie on No. 17 with an impressive par on the difficult No. 18.
"I told myself just to grab a two iron and get it on the ground and running," Hoey said. He made a three-footer for the par to secure the win.
"I just went through my process and tried to slow everything down and go through my process," Hoey said about the final putts.
Hoey also won the 2024 Sacramento City Championship.
First-round leader Brady Clark of San Diego, Calif., finished in solo third place at 3-under. Hudson Ross of Austin, Tex., finished in solo fourth place at even par and Jonathan Lewis of Yorba Linda, Calif., finished in solo fifth place at 3-over to round out the top five.
Dick Engel of Lancaster, Calif., won the Senior Championship in a playoff over Jeffrey Freeman of Carlsbad, Calif.
The retired law enforcement officer finished 1-over with rounds of 75-70, but a bogey on No. 18 forced the playoff with Freeman. The playoff hole was No. 1, and Engel won with a birdie after he had a 75-yard approach shot that he put below the hole.
"I hit a lot of greens," Engel said. "I drove the ball well and only missed one green. My pace was a lot better on the greens, and I made some putts. I missed a couple of short ones but made my fair share as well."
Kory Frost of Trabuco Canyon, Calif., Edward Susolik of Newport Beach, Calif., and Jason Pridmore of Ventura, Calif., all finished T3 at 2-over to round out the top five.
"I didn't look at the leaderboard until my second shot on No. 18," Engel said." I figured I would just keep my head down and play."
Hudson Ross of Austin, Tex., won the Mid-Amateur Division by 13 shots after finishing even par and Kory Frost of Trabuco Canyon, Calif., won the Super Senior Division with a score of 2-over. He defeated Daniel Sivadge of El Cajon, Calif., by one shot.
Established in 2001, the AmateurGolf.com Tour, presented by Callaway, hosts competitive amateur golf events at amazing courses across the country. Past winners of AGC tour events include PGA Tour players, top-ranked collegiate players, and nationally ranked senior and mid-am players.
AmateurGolf.com events offer divisions for male, female, senior, mid-am, and net players.
View results for AmateurGolf.com San Diego Amateur North
ABOUT THE
AmateurGolf.com San Diego Amateur North
>>
2024 TOUR PORTAL
*An SCGA Points Event*
The San Diego Amateur returns to Aviara Golf
Club in Carlsbad. Once again we are going to
be
treated like pros at one of the best venues in
Southern
California, Aviara Golf Club -- as seen on TV
during the LPGA's Kia Classic played in March!
This is a gross competition with
Championship,
Senior and Net divisions.
Your entry fee includes 2 rounds of golf with
cart, prizes, trophies for division winners, and
the
opportunity to play a Tour-proven golf course
in
a
competitive setting. Special rates for practice
rounds
and
lodging will be offered.
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.
NET
For players 16 and over with handicap
between 5.5
and 18.0.
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.
View Complete Tournament Information