The SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship is limited to players with Handicap Indexes of 5.4 and below, and ages 25 and older. Competitors undergo 18 holes of qualifying play in order to reach the final field of 84 players. In the Championship, players compete over 54 holes of stroke play with the top 42 players and ties advancing after 36 holes to the final round.
FULL RESULTS
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (April 17, 2012) - If the SCGA gave out championship rings instead of championship trophies, Tim Hogarth of Northridge would have just earned himself one for his thumb. The SCGA veteran won his record-setting fifth SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship Tuesday, hanging on for the victory despite carding a round of 75. Hogarth's three-round total of 3-over par 217 bested Anthony Melillo by two strokes.
"It means a lot," said Hogarth when asked about becoming the first to win the event five times. "Last year at this time I was in a cast, I really didn't know what would be next and thought there could be a problem with my hand going forward, so to come back and win, I'm really proud."
Hogarth entered the day with a three-stroke lead, but Patrick Duncan gave the veteran a run to start the day, posting a 2-under on his front nine as Hogarth ended his own first nine holes with three-straight bogeys. A tough back nine for Duncan put him out of contention, however, and Hogarth warded off late attacks from Melillo, defending champion Scott Almquist and Justin Warthen down the stretch.
Almquist and Warthen tied for third place with final scores of 2-over par 221. Despite great playing conditions on the course and perfect weather, the Rancho Santa Fe course bested many of the competitors Tuesday. Just one participant (Gary Havro) finished his round under par.
"Today was a tough day," said Hogarth. "Once you get momentum going the wrong way it's hard to get it back, so I'm just really happy to hang on and win. The lead got stretched to a comfortable amount,and at that point I lost a little bit of focus, but I really was fortunate enough to hang on."
Hogarth last won the event in 2010, after also being named champion in 2009, 2007 and 1999.
"People travel all over the country to play in tournaments, always searching for great events. I've always felt like I didn't need to travel because the SCGA puts on such great tournaments at such great golf courses. I really do look forward to playing in these."
