LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA (January 8, 2006) -- On his ride home from the course,
odds are Bob Niger was thinking about his drive into the hazard on No. 18, or
his two three-putts on hole Nos. 1 and 5. Never mind the six stroke margin of
victory or the three straight birdies that were sandwiched between his front
nine three putts. Niger, the 2005 NCGA Stroke Play Champion from El Dorado Hills,
is a hard working perfectionist who sets goals for his game and puts in the
hours to achieve them.
At the start of Sunday's final round of the amateurgolf.com Livermore Valley
Championship, Niger found himself tied with high schooler Austin Hurt of Bainbridge
Island, Washington after the two players shot 1-over-par 73's on Saturday over
a rain-toughened Course at Wente Vineyards. The first round average score? Well
over 80.
Niger's three straight early birdies against Hurt's three bogey start made him
the clearcut leader of the final group, which was rounded out by Jerry Ledzinski
of Carmel and Jon Dechambeau of Fresno -- neither of which could get anything
going early. But Niger knew there was a lot of golf left.
"I knew I was in good shape," said Niger. "But I didn't get too
caught up with the numbers. I just knew that if I kept playing well I would
be in good shape."
Niger continued his excellent ball striking through the 9th, up the crooked
cart path mountain drive known as "Lombard Street," and around the
tricky stretch of early holes on the back nine until a lone bogey on the par-5
15th and the 8-stroke-lead double bogey at 18 (in other words, one that won't
hurt a thing) caused his final round total to wind up at 73 instead of the 70
or 71 it might have been. You can't argue with a 6-stroke victory, especially
in difficult conditions, and Niger was very pleased with the start to his season.
Runner-up was long baller Freddy Wolfe of Piedmont, who added a 74 to his first
round of 78 for a two round total of 152. Erick Thorson of Westlake Village,
Wolfe's teammate at Cal, tied Jon Dechambeau for third at 155.
In the Senior Division, Lou Alvarez played steady golf and stayed focused as
one of his playing companions, Frank Abbott, had to disqualify himself after
realizing he signed an incorrect scorecard on Saturday. Abbott, a decorated
senior player who reached the finals of the USGA Senior Amateur two years ago,
briefly had the apparent lead as Bob Schoenherr (the first round leader after
a 73) got off to a birdie-triple bogey start.
Despite Schoenherr's shaky start on the back nine, where the leaders of the
Senior Division started, he managed to shoot 4-over-par 40 and held a 3-stroke
lead over Alvarez heading up the hill to the first tee, where Abbott decided
to disqualify himself. A drive into the vineyards on No. 1 cost Schoenherr a
double-bogey, but he still had a one stroke lead as the players matched pars
on Nos. 2 and 3.
Alvarez birdied the 4th to tie for the lead, but bogeyed the 5th, and Schoenherr's
lead was 1 with 3 to play. Alvarez closed with three straight pars to finish
with a back nine 36, a final round of 75, and 152 tournament total. Schoenherr
made bogeys at the par-3 7th and par-5 8th but finished with a solid par on
the uphill 9th to wind up tied with Marshall Raymer of Castlewood Country Club
at 154.
The Net Division was 34 players strong, and spiced up by entries such as Tim
Morrissey from Tacoma, Washington and Michael Retter from New Milford, Connecticut.
Morrissey finished 10th, and Retter at 12th, but neither player could wipe the
smile off their face as they thought of the weather at their respective home
courses, which have been pelted by rain and snow respectively.
Tom Silva, who traveled to the event with a small contingency from Turlock who
found out about amateurgolf.com through the Christmas Classic event, posted
the only sub-70 round of the tournament to finish the tournament at 5-under-par
139 net. Thurman shot a gross 78 in Saturday's first round with a course index
of 8, to tie for the first round lead, but slid to an 81 on Sunday as Silva,
who also was playing off a course index of 8, shot 77. Silva's round included
natural birdies on the par-4 2nd hole and the par-5 12th.
- Special thanks to tournament sponsors Bridgestone Golf and UST Golf Shaft.
Mike Moxie of Bridgestone, and Jamie Pipes of UST teamed up to whip together
some cool J33 Hybrids with UST iRod shafts just in time to give out as bonus
prizes to the winners. Look for more of these special prizes at upcoming events,
and chances to demo various models of clubs and shafts through reps from both
companies and partners like Leith Anderson of Palo Alto's Golf Lab, who will
unveil his 'tour van' at the Silicon Valley Amateur (which is, incidentally,
our next event on January 21-22 if you haven't signed up).
- Thanks to everyone for playing, and especially for helping to shave 1/2 hour
off the pace of play on Sunday. With Friday's overnight rains, thick rough,
and many players seeing 'The Course' for the first time, Saturday's pace was
the result of a 'perfect storm' of conditions, finding balls, keeping carts
on the path, and more.
- The only woman in the field, Shannon Yocum of Pacific Palisades, shot a very
respectable 162 in the championship division playing off the white tees. Yocum,
who plays on the Cal Women's Golf Team, finished tied for 17th.
- The Course at Wente Vineyards Club Champ Brian Baer, who lives just two miles
away, shot a pair of 79's to finish tied for 7th.
- Special thanks to Wente Vineyards' Tournament Coordinator Mickey Draughon
and the entire staff for their hospitality and assistance in pulling this event
off. This year's field, at 120 players, was our biggest ever.
- The Course at Wente Vineyards is Hosting the Nationwide Tour in late March
and early April -- and Tournament Director Chris Conway stopped by on Sunday
to talk to us about The Inaugural Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship.
The event already has a full field of talented pros registered. There are opportunities
to volunteer, sponsor, or just get tickets and see the event in person. Check
out the website at: www.lvwcc.net
* * *
Final results from the amateurgolf.com Livermore Valey Championship, played
at The Course at Wente Vineyards follow.
- Championship Division: Par 72, 6956 yards
- Senior Division: Par 72, 6263 yards
- Net Division: Par 72, 5722 yards
|
CHAMPIONSHIP |
|
|
|
|
Pos |
Player Name, Hometown |
|
R1 |
R2 |
Tot |
1 |
Bob Niger, El Dorado Hills, CA |
|
73 |
73 |
146 |
2 |
Freddy Wolfe, Piedmont, CA |
|
78 |
74 |
152 |
T3 |
Erick Thorson, Westlake Village, CA |
|
77 |
78 |
155 |
T3 |
Jon DeChambeau, Clovis, CA |
|
75 |
80 |
155 |
T5 |
Austin Hurt, Bainbridge Island, WA |
|
73 |
83 |
156 |
T5 |
Phillip Hall, Atherton, CA |
|
78 |
78 |
156 |
T7 |
Andrew Biggadike, Palo Alto, CA |
|
78 |
80 |
158 |
T7 |
Brian Baer, Livermore, CA |
|
79 |
79 |
158 |
T7 |
Jerry Ledzinski, Carmel, CA |
|
75 |
83 |
158 |
T7 |
Taylor Hobin, Antioch, CA |
|
79 |
79 |
158 |
T11 |
Elliot Wainwright, Palo Alto, CA |
|
79 |
80 |
159 |
T11 |
Harlan Karnofsky, Sacramento, CA |
|
80 |
79 |
159 |
T11 |
Jake Yount, Danville, CA |
|
80 |
79 |
159 |
T14 |
David Staszko, San Jose, CA |
|
80 |
80 |
160 |
T14 |
J.R. Becko, Pleasanton, CA |
|
80 |
80 |
160 |
16 |
Ross Vilinskas, Lodi, CA |
|
82 |
79 |
161 |
T17 |
david hawkins, rancho santa margarita, CA |
|
83 |
79 |
162 |
T17 |
Joe Johnson, Carlsbad, CA |
|
81 |
81 |
162 |
T17 |
Kris Butkys, Thousand Oaks, CA |
|
77 |
85 |
162 |
T17 |
Shannon Yocum, Palos Verdes Estates, CA |
|
83 |
79 |
162 |
T21 |
David Leuterio, Sacramento, CA |
|
81 |
82 |
163 |
T21 |
Jack Allen, Granite Bay, CA |
|
79 |
84 |
163 |
T23 |
Hans Olson, Bainbridge Island, WA |
|
81 |
83 |
164 |
T23 |
Patrick Pernice, Oakland, CA |
|
82 |
82 |
164 |
T23 |
Wesley Leith, Davis, CA |
|
82 |
82 |
164 |
T26 |
Andrew Bowdish, San Jose, CA |
|
81 |
84 |
165 |
T26 |
Brian Robinson, Pleasanton, CA |
|
76 |
89 |
165 |
T26 |
Jeff Stewart, San Ramon, CA |
|
87 |
78 |
165 |
T26 |
Mat Miller, Pleasanton, CA |
|
82 |
83 |
165 |
T30 |
Jason Melvin, Carmel, CA |
|
86 |
80 |
166 |
T30 |
Kent Yamane, San Jose, CA |
|
82 |
84 |
166 |
T32 |
Dean Pournaras, Livermore, CA |
|
83 |
84 |
167 |
T32 |
Ryan de la Motte, Turlock, CA |
|
80 |
87 |
167 |
34 |
Michael Tobin, Turlock, CA |
|
81 |
87 |
168 |
35 |
Leigh Silver, Henderson, NV |
|
84 |
85 |
169 |
36 |
Stan Morrison, San Francisco, CA |
|
81 |
89 |
170 |
T37 |
christian larsen, Newport Beach, CA |
|
88 |
83 |
171 |
T37 |
James Neill, Bainbridge Island, WA |
|
87 |
84 |
171 |
T37 |
John Allison, Santa Maria, CA |
|
80 |
91 |
171 |
40 |
Nick White, Sacramento, CA |
|
92 |
80 |
172 |
T41 |
Jeff Lerner, Sunnyvale, CA |
|
85 |
88 |
173 |
T41 |
Kalani Delima, long beach, CA |
|
87 |
86 |
173 |
43 |
Sean Wickersham, Napa, CA |
|
85 |
89 |
174 |
44 |
Tony LaMontagne, San Marcos, CA |
|
91 |
84 |
175 |
45 |
Brian Zimmerman, Hanford, CA |
|
87 |
91 |
178 |
46 |
Daniel Neben, Walnut Creek, CA |
|
88 |
92 |
180 |
47 |
Thomas Duensing, Petaluma, CA |
|
94 |
88 |
182 |
T48 |
Albert Conceicao, San Jose, CA |
|
91 |
92 |
183 |
T48 |
Steve Lico, Menlo Park, CA |
|
86 |
97 |
183 |
50 |
Gary Meek, San Jose, CA |
|
97 |
87 |
184 |
T51 |
Eric Steichen, San Francisco, CA |
|
91 |
94 |
185 |
T51 |
Glenn Matthews, Livermore, CA |
|
87 |
98 |
185 |
T51 |
Ricky Ulloa, Bainbridge Island, WA |
|
94 |
91 |
185 |
54 |
Kevin Hartsoch, Playa del Rey, CA |
|
92 |
94 |
186 |
55 |
Harald Vaernes, Honolulu, HI |
|
96 |
92 |
188 |
56 |
Curtis Abbey, Portola Valley, CA |
|
99 |
93 |
192 |
T57 |
Craig King, Santa Barbara, CA |
|
90 |
WD |
WD |
T57 |
Erik Hallgrimson, Los Gatos, CA |
|
NC |
WD |
WD |
T57 |
John Gomez, San Jose, CA |
|
93 |
WD |
WD |
T57 |
Mike Murphy, OAKLAND, CA |
|
86 |
WD |
WD |
T57 |
Scott Gilgallon, San Francisco, CA |
|
NC |
WD |
WD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SENIOR DIVISION |
|
|
|
|
Pos |
Player Name, Hometown |
|
R1 |
R2 |
Tot |
1 |
Lou Alvarez, Auburn, CA |
|
77 |
75 |
152 |
T2 |
Bob Schoenherr, San Jose, CA |
|
73 |
81 |
154 |
T2 |
Marshall Raymer, Pleasanton, CA |
|
79 |
75 |
154 |
T4 |
Bob Olds, Brentwood, CA |
|
79 |
76 |
155 |
T4 |
Rob Thompson, Merced, CA |
|
74 |
81 |
155 |
6 |
Shelton Washburn, Novato, CA |
|
80 |
76 |
156 |
T7 |
Carl Selkirk, Chico, CA |
|
80 |
77 |
157 |
T7 |
Joe Zanassi, Martinez, CA |
|
80 |
77 |
157 |
9 |
Robert Rowland, Danville, CA |
|
81 |
77 |
158 |
10 |
Ron Johnson, Walnut Creek, CA |
|
82 |
77 |
159 |
11 |
Tom Lyons, Pleasanton, CA |
|
80 |
80 |
160 |
T12 |
Earl Stewart, Fairfax, CA |
|
82 |
80 |
162 |
T12 |
Tony Wilmer, San Mateo, CA |
|
81 |
81 |
162 |
T14 |
David Hemrick, Aptos, CA |
|
83 |
80 |
163 |
T14 |
Terry Ackerman, Piedmont, CA |
|
79 |
84 |
163 |
T16 |
Jeff Early, Pleasanton, CA |
|
80 |
85 |
165 |
T16 |
Kevin Gaughan, Danville, CA |
|
84 |
81 |
165 |
T16 |
Nigel Peck, San Ramon, CA |
|
89 |
76 |
165 |
19 |
Robert Alves, Sacramento, CA |
|
84 |
82 |
166 |
20 |
Bill Foley, San Ramon, CA |
|
87 |
83 |
170 |
21 |
Jim McKnight, Alamo, CA |
|
87 |
85 |
172 |
22 |
Larry Vaughn, Livermore, CA |
|
85 |
90 |
175 |
T23 |
Bruce Olin, Sacramento, CA |
|
83 |
NC |
NC |
T23 |
Frank Abbott, Napa, CA |
|
75 |
DQ |
DQ |
T23 |
Greg Saiki, Sanger, CA |
|
82 |
WD |
WD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET DIVISION |
|
|
|
|
Pos |
Player Name, Hometown |
|
R1 |
R2 |
Tot |
1 |
Tom Silva, Turlock, CA |
|
70 |
69 |
139 |
2 |
Jim Thurman, Clayton, CA |
|
70 |
73 |
143 |
3 |
Joe Morais, Turlock, CA |
|
71 |
73 |
144 |
4 |
Philip Hacker, Martinez, CA |
|
74 |
72 |
146 |
T5 |
Rick Pittenger, San Jose, CA |
|
74 |
72 |
146 |
T5 |
Daniel Kuper, Sunnyvale, CA |
|
75 |
75 |
150 |
7 |
Vincent Steele, Concord, CA |
|
78 |
72 |
150 |
T8 |
Charles Balisha, Turlock, CA |
|
77 |
74 |
151 |
T8 |
Morrie Birnbaum, Concord, CA |
|
76 |
75 |
151 |
10 |
Tim Morrisey, University Place, WA |
|
75 |
79 |
154 |
11 |
Todd Knapp, Salinas, CA |
|
78 |
77 |
155 |
T12 |
Michael Retter, New Milford, CT |
|
75 |
81 |
156 |
T12 |
Al Richardson, Santa Clara, CA |
|
84 |
73 |
157 |
T12 |
Don Jordan, Modesto, CA |
|
84 |
73 |
157 |
15 |
Mike Sly, Los Altos, CA |
|
78 |
79 |
157 |
16 |
Jeff Kier, San Jose, CA |
|
83 |
76 |
159 |
17 |
Kevin Smith, Richmond, CA |
|
82 |
77 |
159 |
T18 |
Scott Schaller, Emerald Hills, CA |
|
80 |
79 |
159 |
T18 |
Jeff traweek, Auburn, CA |
|
82 |
78 |
160 |
T18 |
Korsen Yu, Sunnyvale, CA |
|
82 |
78 |
160 |
T21 |
Bob Fagan, Pleasanton, CA |
|
83 |
78 |
161 |
T21 |
James Grensted, Belmont, CA |
|
81 |
81 |
162 |
23 |
Charles Mazzola, Oakland, CA |
|
75 |
87 |
162 |
24 |
Robert Contreras, Sacramento, CA |
|
78 |
84 |
162 |
25 |
Steve Herndon, Modesto, CA |
|
89 |
74 |
163 |
26 |
I. Joe Ceniceros, La Mirada, CA |
|
83 |
80 |
163 |
27 |
Andrew Brooks, San francisco, CA |
|
92 |
72 |
164 |
28 |
Simon Tao, San Francisco, CA |
|
81 |
83 |
164 |
29 |
Axel Gomez, Turlock, CA |
|
83 |
83 |
166 |
30 |
Shane Davis, Livermore, CA |
|
84 |
82 |
166 |
T31 |
Larry Hanback, San Francisco, CA |
|
83 |
86 |
169 |
T31 |
Del Hocker, San Jose, CA |
|
90 |
82 |
172 |
T33 |
Lucas Heller, Piedmont, CA |
|
NC |
WD |
WD |
T33 |
Mark Schaller, Rocklin, CA |
|
77 |
DQ |
DQ |