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Handicap Index: +3.0
Monday, April 04, 2022
Will there be a host hotel nearby the 111th Cal Am?
Please advise.
112th California Amateur Championship
June 19 - 24, 2023, Lake Merced GC
This is one of the nation’s oldest state amateur golf championships. The championship originated in 1912 and was held at Pebble Beach Golf Links from 1919 until 2006. In 2007 the CGA broadened the scope of this prestigious championship by rotating the weeklong event to selected courses throughout the state, alternating between Northern California and Southern California every other year. Players must have an index of 4.4 or less, qualifying is available statewide for both NCGA and SCGA players, players may only attempt to qualify once. The Championship consists of 156 players who will play 36-holes of individual stroke play to determine the 32 player match play field. The final match is played over 36 holes. During the stroke play portion of the tournament a simultaneous team competition takes place between the NCGA vs. SCGA competing for the Roger Latham Cup.
Championship InfoQualifying InfoExemptions
Zachery Pollo Clinches Breakthrough Title, 5&4
When it was all finally over, Rocklin resident Zachery Pollo finally cracked a big smile.
Pollo (pronounced Po-Lo) joined the likes of Johnny Miller, Ken Venturi and Xander Schauffele as a California Amateur champion, defeating runner-up Dylan Oyama, 5 and 4, in the 36-hole final held Saturday at par-72 Lake Merced Golf Club.
An 18-year-old sophomore-to-be at University of Arizona, Pollo is one of the event's youngest winners. Mac Hunter won the 1972 title at 16.
Immediately after his victory, Pollo started receiving congratulatory texts from Wildcats head coach Jim Anderson as well as some of his teammates, including 2021 NCGA Amateur champ Sam Sommerhauser.
"It feels good. Coming into it, I knew it would be a long week," said Pollo, a former standout on the Junior Tour of Northern California. "There's a lot of golf. You just try to prepare yourself. Fortunately, I was able to come out on top."
A Pac-12 All Freshman Team pick last season, the No.14 seeded Pollo turned into a birdie machine to close out the match. Over his last 14 holes, he'd go 8-under.
Through the first 18 holes, Pollo had numerous chances to increase what was a 1-up lead but his putter didn't cooperate. At the midway break, following a quick meal Pollo went out and repeatedly practiced making 3 to 4-footers.
In the afternoon portion, he wouldn't just sink the shorter putts, he even began draining some 20 to 30-footers, including a winning eagle putt on the 32nd hole (par-5 14th).
"I didn't think my putting was all that great on the first 18. On the second 18, my putting was beyond good," Pollo said.
A sophomore-to-be at San Diego State, the No.16 seeded Oyama had never competed in an official match play event prior to the week.
His last lead was 1-up after a par win on No.12 in the morning. Through the first 25 holes, neither player ever held more than a 2-up lead.
"There's a lot of things I will stay take away from the week," said Oyama, who picked up the game from his grandfather around the age of 5. "There are also a lot of things I need to work on, including my stamina."
As for Pollo, while the week was also grueling, he's in a way been there and done. At only age 6, he competed in a 100 kilometer bike race. He also climbed Mount Whitney as a child. His mom Carrie and dad Jay are both into fitness, with Carrie even having once competed in the Boston Marathon.
"I was also tired as the week went on, but when you're in the moment, you still remain focused," Pollo said.
In the morning portion of the final, Pollo and Oyama see-sawed with neither ever holding more than a 2-up lead. Tied through 16 holes, Pollo grabbed a 1-up lead on the 17th when Oyama failed to reach the green in regulation, leading to a bogey. The two tied the 18th hole with pars.
Recap courtesy of NCGA
Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Medalist | Team | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Zachery Pollo | Nathan Wang and Joe Neuheisel | Northern California | Lake Merced GC |
| 2022 |
Charlie Reiter |
Tony Chen | Southern California | Big Canyon CC |
| 2021 |
Noah Woolsey |
Christian Banke | Northern California | The Preserve |
| 2020 |
Joey Vrzich |
Stephen Hale | Southern California | Torrey Pines GC |
| 2019 |
William Mouw |
Sean Yu | Southern California | Monterey Peninsula CC |
| 2018 |
Bobby Bucey |
Cody Hall |
Northern California | Omni La Costa Resort & Spa |
| 2017 |
PJ Samiere |
Eddy Lai |
Southern California | The Olympic Club |
| 2016 |
Shintaro Ban |
Bryan Baumgarten and Andrew Levitt | Northern California | Valencia CC |
| 2015 |
Shotaro Ban |
Satch Herrmann |
Southern California |
Lake Merced GC |
| 2014 |
Xander Schauffele |
Jason Anthony | Southern California | Omni La Costa Resort & Spa |
| 2013 | Cory McElyea | Corey Pereira and Xander Schauffele | Northern California | Monterey Peninsula GC |
| 2012 | Kevin Marsh | Bhavik Patel | Southern California | La Cumbre CC |
| 2011 | Bhavik Patel | Philip Chian | Northern California | The Olympic Club |
| 2010 |
Scott Travers |
Scott Almquist Kevin Fitzgerald |
Southern California |
Rancho Santa Fe GC and La Jolla GC |
| 2009 |
Geoff Gonzalez |
Geoff Gonzalez | Southern California | Lake Merced GC |
| 2008 |
Nick Delio |
Matt Hoffenbers Alex Kim Scott McGihon |
Northern California | Lakeside GC and Oakmont CC |
| 2007 |
Josh Anderson |
Blake Trimble | Southern California | Monterey Peninsula CC |
| 2006 |
Jordan Nasser |
Steve Woods | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 2005 |
Don DuBois |
Jordan Cox | Northern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 2004 |
Spencer Levin |
Mark Sear | Northern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 2003 |
Patrick Nagle |
Roy Moon | Northern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 2002 |
Eddie Heinen |
Don DuBois | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 2001 |
Darryl Donovan |
Jeff Wilson | Northern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 2000 |
Nick Jones |
James Stewart Todd Miller |
Southern California | Bayonet and Blackhorse GC |
| 1999 |
Tim Hogarth |
Ed Cuff, Jr. Steve Conway |
Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1998 | Ed Cuff, Jr. | Craig Steinberg | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1997 | Jason Gore | Tim Hogarth | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1996 | Mark Johnson | Jeff Gilchrist | Northern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1995 | Jeff Sanday | Mark Johnson | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1994 | Steve Woods | Steve Woods | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1993 | Casey Boyns | Gary Vanier | Northern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1992 | Todd Demsey | Harry Rudolph, III | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1991 | Harry Rudolph III | Sandy Galbraith | Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1990 | Charlie Wi |
Mark Johnson Paul Stankowski |
Southern California | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| 1989 | Casey Boyns | Jerry Michaels | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1988 | Don Parsons | Aaron Meeks | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1987 | Mike Springer |
Bob Lasken Tim Loustalot Steve Bogan |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1986 | Terrence Miskell | Dana Banke | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1985 | Sam Randolph | Sam Randolph | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1984 | Duffy Waldorf | Duffy Waldorf | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1983 | Kris Moe | Gregg Twiggs | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1982 | Gary Vanier | Corey Pavin | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1981 | Joe Tamburino | Mike Barnblatt | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1980 | Bobby Clampett | Bobby Clampett | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1979 | Mark O’Meara | Lennie Clements | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1978 | Bobby Clampett | Don Levin | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1977 | Lee Mikles | Tom Culligan | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1976 | Mike Brannan | Scott Simpson | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1975 | John Cook |
C. Richardson Curtis Worley |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1974 | Curtis Worley | Craig Stadler | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1973 | Mike Brannan | Mike Brannan | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1972 | Mac Hunter | Mark Pfeil | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1971 | Doug Nelson | Sandy Galbraith | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1970 | Bob Risch | Tom Smith | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1969 | Forrest Fezler | Ted Lyford | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1968 | Johnny Miller | Les Peterson | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1967 | Bob E. Smith | Arne Dokka | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1966 | Bob Eastwood |
Bob Eastwood Cesar Sanudo Jack Bariteau |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1965 | Vern Callison | Dr. Art Butler | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1964 | Steve Opperman | Ron Cerrudo | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1963 | Dr. Paul Travis | Peter Choate | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1962 | Dick Lotz | John Lotz | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1961 | John Richardson | No qualifying | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1960 | Larry Bouchey | Dr. Art Butler | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1959 | Vern Callison |
Dan Morgan Bob Roos |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1958 | Eli Bariteau | Dan Morgan | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1957 | Tal Smith | Dr. William O’Neal | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1956 | Ken Venturi |
Bob Silvestri Ken Venturi |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1955 | Dr. Frank Taylor | Tom Draper | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1954 | Dr. Frank Taylor | Dr. William O’Neal | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1953 | Gene Littler | Ken Venturi | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1952 | Bob Silvestri | Gene Littler | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1951 | Ken Venturi | Bud Holscher | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1950 | Bob Gardner | Fred Jordan | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1949 | Mac Hunter |
Gene Littler Tal Smith John Dawson |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1948 | Eli Bariteau |
Russell York Bob Silvestri |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1947 | Bob Gardner | Morgan Fottrell | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1946 | Bruce McCormick | Eli Bariteau | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1945 | Bruce McCormick | John Dawson | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1944 | Ernie Pieper, Jr. | Bob Rosburg | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1943 | Elmer Cites | Henry Suico | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1942 | John Dawson | Bud Brownell | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1941 | Ernie Pieper, Jr. | Ralph Lomelli | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1940 | Ed Monaghan | Rennie Kelly | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1939 | Jack Gage | Roger Kelly | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1938 | Roger Kelly | Roger Kelly | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1937 | Roger Kelly |
Ernest Combs Frank Hixon |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1936 | Mat Palacio, Jr. | Roger Kelly | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1935 | Jack Gaines | Ernie Pieper Jr. | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1934 | Stuart Hawley |
John Robbins Jack Nounman |
Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1933 | Charles Seaver | No qualifying | Pebble Beach Golf Links | |
| 1932 | Neil White | No qualifying | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
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