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SCGA Public Links Championship
Aug. 12-14, Brookside GC
The SCGA Public Links Championship is formerly the PLGA Amateur Championship, which started in 1968. The Gross Championship is open to amateurs who are members of a SCGA club (public or affiliate) who have a current index of 5.4 or below at the time of registration and do not have playing privileges, a membership or a handicap index at a course or club which the general public is excluded. The Championship will have 144 players compete over 54 holes of stroke play with the top 39 players and ties advancing after 36 holes to the final round.
USD Asst. Coach Nick Geyer snags first SCGA title
Finishing with an impressive 10-under par, Nicholas Geyer of San Diego claimed the SCGA Public Links Championship title with a 5-stroke victory at Brookside GC’s Course.
With two rounds each scoring 4-under par Friday and Saturday, 68 and 66 respectively, Geyer entered the final day of competition leading the field and giving himself the edge he needed to hold the win with a cool 2-under par 70.
“Today was a little more nervy,” said Geyer. “The course was really hard, with tricky pin placements throughout, and it always feels a little heavier going into the final day with the lead.”
Geyer managed to keep his cool, making the turn at 9 with a 10-stroke lead. He attributes some of his success to not being a scoreboard watcher.
“I had a strong front 9, 3 birdies and 1 bogey," said Geyer, “So I knew I was in a good place, but to be honest I didn’t know where I stood in the tournament. I make a conscious effort not to check the scoreboard.”
Geyer’s strong front 9 started with a birdie on the 1st hole, but that wasn’t his only memorable hole of the tournament.
In the second round Geyer had a phenomenal eagle on the 16th with a 25-yard pitch shot to hole-out.
He notes his final birdie of the tournament on hole 17 was one of the most important scores of the round.
“I didn’t know where I stood, but it seemed important to sink the putt.”
Geyer is currently the assistant golf coach for the University of San Diego, leaving him with little time to spend on his own game.
“My practice time is limited so I focus on lots of putting and keeping my swing in check. I try to just stay consistent and focus on efficiency in my practice time.”
But being a coach does have one distinct advantage, watching golf.
“I watch a lot of golf,” said Geyer. “Competitions, qualifiers, recruitment – I get a constant analysis of course management, which makes me more conscious of my own decisions when playing.”
Geyer has been a strong SoCal golfer for many years now, both as a pro and an amateur. After a few years of trying out the pro game, Geyer reapplied for amateur status after realizing his love for the spirit of the game lacked when a pay check was involved.
“Getting my amateur status back was a relief. I love to compete and I love the game of golf. When playing pro I lost some of that passion,” said Geyer. “Playing amateur golf is much more fulfilling and I play all of the time, I can’t get enough.”
Geyer is not kidding about that, he has a busy couple weeks of tournament play coming up, including the USGA Mid-Am Qualifier and the SCGA Match Play Championship.
Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |