Top 16 make first SCGA One-Day Match Play Championship

December 02, 2015

Spencer Sam of San Diego tops year-long points list

By Julia Pine

The SCGA One-Day Tournament Series, one of the SCGA's fastest growing programs, will host its first ever Match Play Championship this weekend at PGA WEST. The top 16 players from the year-long points list, which distributed points to participants from the series' 23 2015 events, make the match play championship and will have the opportunity to compete for this year's SCGA One-Day Tournament Player of the Year honor.

"Not only does the points list reward participation, but it also gave me incentive to do well, said Spencer Sam, who topped the list with 1,090 points from participation in 20 events. "I was motivated all season to secure a spot in the top 16 so I would qualify for the final event. I wasn't expecting to finish at the top!"

The points list is in its second year of existence, and was built to reward program loyalty and also provide golfers of all skill level with the opportunity for year-long competition. One-Day tournaments are primarily held on weekends, giving the working player the ability to compete.

"About four years ago a friend asked me to play in a tournament, however I needed a Handicap Index to do so," said Sam. "I joined the SCGA to establish one, and saw information on scga.org about the One-Day Tournaments. I saw it as an opportunity to play new courses."

The series' 23 events in 2015 traveled to 22 different golf courses throughout Southern California, including stops from San Diego to Santa Barbara. All events have both a net and gross flight, and formats range from individual net to 2-person scrambles to four-ball net.

"Throughout the season I played with so many good players," said Sam, a San Diego resident who works for an insurance company. "I am pretty excited about securing a spot in the final event. I am lucky I had a couple of months where I really played well and I had a great partner in the team events."

The 2016 One-Day Tournament schedule includes 24 events before culminating with the Match Play Invitational at Valencia CC. Click here for the full schedule. But for now, the 2015 Top 16 will compete this weekend over two days for the 2015 title, one Sam hopes he can capture to top off an impressive golf year.

"I probably only used to play golf three or four times a year until I became an SCGA member four years ago," said Sam. "Now I try to get out and play a round at least every other week."

The 2015 SCGA One-Day Series Match Play Championship kicks off this Friday. Click here to view the full bracket.