Hot rounds from Kemp and Kent Richardson and Jerry Michals brought the SCGA back from an eight-shot deficit to regain the Senior Challenge Cup by one shot over the NCGA at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

With the best three of four scores each day counting for the team total, the SCGA totaled 444 to the NCGA’s 445, the closest margin in the event’s 13-year history (the previous margin was two shots when the SCGA won in 1999).  The Challenge Cup is played concurrently with the first two rounds of stroke play in the California Golf Association (CGA) Senior Amateur Championship.

Kemp Richardson of Laguna Niguel, a former two-time USGA Senior Amateur champion and winner of both the British and Canadian Senior Amateur titles, led the way today with a 1-under-par 71, the lowest round of the day by two shots.  Kent Richardson of Bakersfield and Jerry Michals of Carlsbad backed Kemp up with 1-over-par 73s.  

The North leads the overall series, 7-6.

RESULTS:

16th California Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship
Senior North-South Challenge Cup

at Poppy Hills Golf  Course; Pebble Beach, Calif.
6,512 yards, par 72

Final 36-holes (best 3 of 4 scores each day count for team total):

444 — South (Steve Bogan, 71-79; Jerry Michals, 79-73; Kemp Richardson, 80-71; Kent Richardson, 77-73), 227-217.
445 — North (Bill Bowen, 76-76; Mark Miller, 76-75; Rob Thompson, 70-76; Gary Vanier, 73-75), 219-226.