Some of the finest amateur golfers in the region will compete in the Southern California Golf Association Amateur Championship, a 112-year institution to be contested July 8-10 at San Gabriel CC. San Gabriel CC last hosted the SCGA Amateur in 1984.
Started in 1900, this event is the oldest championship conducted by the SCGA, and crowns the best amateur player of the Association. In the Championship, players compete over 72 holes of stroke play with the top 42 and ties advancing after the first 36 holes. The championship is traditionally held at the home club of the current SCGA President.
In the field is Patrick Cantlay of Los Alamitos, who has been on a tear lately, emerging as the low amateur at the U.S. Open last month and, a week later, firing a course-record 60 at the Travelers Championship to take the lead after 36 holes. Cantlay, a rising sophomore at UCLA, has had an amazing year since finishing 4th in last year’s SCGA Amateur Championship. At the end of last summer, he made it to the Semifinals of the U.S. Amateur, he won 4 collegiate events in his freshman year, becoming the Jack Nicklaus award winner as the top collegiate player, and he made the cut at the two most recent PGA Tour events, finishing 24th at The Travelers Championship and 20th at AT&T National.
Other intriguing story lines from this year’s participants are Scott Travers (pictured) of Trabuco Canyon, the defending Amateur champion who last year shot 268 over the 72-hole tournament, breaking the scoring record of 270 set by Woods in 1994. Travers will be attempting to repeat as champion, something that has only been done seven times before. Also in the field are Bhavik Patel of Bakersfield, who is coming off a decisive win in the California State Amateur in San Francisco, and Tim Hogarth of Northridge, the 2004 Champion who is coming off a fractured hand injury that has forced him to take two months off from golf.
Also in the field are past SCGA Amateur Champions, Craig Steinberg of West Hills, a four-time winner and 1999 Champion, John Pate of Santa Barbara. Past California State Amateur Champions in the field include 2007 Champion, Josh Anderson of Murrieta and 2006 Champion, Jordan Nasser of Irvine.
Before the tournament begins Friday, the SCGA Foundation will host a Junior Clinic, to be held Thursday, July 7, from 2-6 p.m. at San Gabriel CC. At this event, 60 kids from four local junior golf programs will receive instruction from top amateurs in the competition and members of San Gabriel CC’s pro staff. Junior golfers will attend from The First Tee of Pasadena, The First Tee of Los Angeles, The First Tee of South Los Angeles and The Tiger Woods Learning Center of Anaheim. The juniors will try their hand at chipping, putting and hitting on the range, and the top four finishers in the mini-competitions will get an opportunity to play two holes on the course with the amateurs.
The competition begins July 8, and will feature 36 holes, with players teeing off between 7:30-9 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Competitors will play 18 holes on Saturday and Sunday, with tee times between 8-9:40 a.m.
Thursday, July 7
SCGA Foundation Junior Golf Clinic
2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The SCGA invites you to stop by and see juniors learn the fundamentals of golf and important life skills from SCGA staff, San Gabriel Country Club professionals and members and fellow SCGA amateur players.
Friday, July 8
Rounds 1 & 2 (36 holes, stroke play)
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
84 players will play two rounds.
Following the second round, the field will be cut to the low 42 scores (plus ties).
San Gabriel CC welcomes all contestants to a complimentary Players’ Dinner on Friday from
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 9
Round 3 (18 holes, stroke play)
Time: 8 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.
Sunday, July 10
Round 4 (18 holes, stroke play)
Time: 8 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.
Awards will be presented immediately following the final round.
San Gabriel Country Club
411 East Las Tunas Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 287-6052
Directions: I-10 to San Gabriel Blvd. exit; north to Hermosa; west to club on left. OR I-210 to San Gabriel Blvd. exit; south to Hermosa; west to club on left.
LODGING OPTIONS
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
Pasadena, CA 81106
(626) 568-3900
Special tournament rate available: $199 (single/double occupancy)
Reference: San Gabriel Country Club Golf Tournament Group Code: SAN051111
www.pasadena.langhamhotels.com
Hilton Los Angeles – San Gabriel Embassy Suites - Arcadia
225 West Valley Blvd. 211 East Huntington Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91776 Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 270-2700 (626) 445-8525
Days Inn – Alhambra Hampton Inn - Arcadia
15 N. First St. 311 Huntington Drive
Alhambra, CA 91801 Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 308-0014 (866) 427-3230
