SCGA Public Links Championship
May 3-4, 2019, at Recreation Park GC/El Dorado Park GC
The SCGA Public Links Championship is formerly the PLGA Amateur Championship, which started in 1968. This Championship is open to amateurs who are members of the SCGA and belong to a public or affiliate golf club with a current Handicap Index of 5.4 or below at the time of registration. Players who are listed on a private or semi-private club’s roster must also be listed on a public or affiliate roster to be eligible. The Championship is conducted over 36 holes of individual stroke play.
Brandon Gama wins first SCGA title
Coming out of the gates with a blistering 8-under 64, Brandon Gama took any suspense out of the equation for the 51st SCGA Public Links Championship at River Ridge GC in Oxnard.
The Santa Barbara native felt right at home at River Ridge GC, backing up his opening round 64 with a 3-under 69 to give himself a 7-stroke lead heading into the final day of play. His final round 73 was more than enough to hang on for his first-ever SCGA title at 10-under par.
“It feels good to win close to home,” said Gama. “My game felt really easy the first two days but I was definitely nervous going into the final round. I really wanted to win and having a big lead afforded me the chance to just hang on.”
Gama’s impressive opening-round 64 included eight birdies and not a single blemish on the scorecard. He rolled in four birdies on the front nine and another four birdies on the back nine, ensuring himself a four-shot cushion heading into day two.
During the second round, it was more of the same for the La Purisima GC member. Tossing in six birdies and three bogeys, Gama stretched his lead to seven and put himself in a position to coast to victory on the championship’s final day.
“I grew up playing public golf courses so it’s awesome to win an event designed to showcase public talent,” said Gama. “I hadn’t won in a few years so this definitely boosts my confidence.”
Tongun Lako Losarah (Mountain Meadows GC) finished in second place at 5-under after firing 70-70-71. Timothy Snyder (Tierra Rejada GC) rounded out the podium finishing third with a final tally of 3-under.
Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Brandon Gama | River Ridge GC |
| 2017 |
Brandon Mai |
Brookside GC |
| 2016 |
Nick Geyer |
Brookside GC |
| 2015 |
Sean Birren |
Brookside GC |
| 2014 |
Jeff Coburn |
River Ridge GC |
| 2013 |
Jeff Coburn |
Brookside GC |
| 2012 | Dan Sullivan | Brookside GC |
| 2011 | Tim Hogarth | Brookside GC |
| 2010 | Andrew Kramer | Los Serranos GC |
| 2009 | Ed Susolik | La Mirada GC |
| 2008 | Dan Sullivan | Brookside GC |
| 2007 | Tye Alexander | Chester Washington GC |
| 2006 | Tye Alexander | Chester Washington GC |
| 2005 | Keith Kinsel | Brookside GC |
| 2004 | Patrick Carrigan | Santa Anita GC |
| 2003 | Iain Macdonald | Jurupa Hills GC |
| 2002 | Travis Johnson | Skylinks GC |
| 2001 | Patrick Carrigan | Los Serranos GC |
| 2000 | Michael Turner | Sepulveda GC |
| 1999 | Tim Hogarth | Southern Counties GC |
| 1998 | Tim Hogarth | Hastings Ranch GC |
| 1997 | Ron Quick | Victoria GC |
| 1996 | Michael Turner | Sepulveda GC |
| 1995 | Jim Lundstrom | Knollwood GC |
| 1994 | Michael Turner | Sepulveda GC |
| 1993 | Michael Turner | Sepulveda GC |
| 1992 | Michael Turner | Sepulveda GC |
| 1991 | Robert Valerio | Skylinks GC |
| 1990 | Jim Lundstrom | Sepulveda GC |
| 1989 | Tony Chieffo | Sepulveda GC |
| 1988 | Craig Steinberg | Sepulveda GC |
| 1987 | Ray Vanyo | Sepulveda GC |
| 1986 | Michael Turner | Sepulveda GC |
| 1985 | Greg Bruckner | Alondra Park GC |
| 1984 | Tom Stankowski | Sepulveda GC |
| 1983 | Ray Vanyo | Sepulveda GC |
| 1982 | Vick Wilk | Sepulveda GC |
| 1981 | Corey Pavin | Sepulveda GC |
| 1980 | Craig Steinberg | Sepulveda GC |
| 1979 | Chuck Wallace | Recreation Park GC |
| 1978 | Mike Bellmar | Lakewood GC |
| 1977 | Mike Bellmar | Lakewood GC |
| 1976 | Mike Bellmar | Lakewood GC |
| 1975 | Roger Fagan | Western GC |
| 1974 | Don Rindfleisch | Recreation Park GC |
| 1973 | Gary Singer | Fairmont GC |
| 1972 | Dick Mortenson | Skylinks GC |
| 1971 | Tony Perrara | Recreation Park GC |
| 1970 | Bob Risch | Alondra Park GC |
| 1969 | Bob Henry | Western GC |
| 1968 | Willard Bryan | El Dorado Park GC |