Playing on his home course, veteran Tim Hogarth cruised to a 9-shot victory this weekend at the inaugural SCGA Public Links Championship. The event, which was formerly the PLGA Amateur Championships, was played Friday through Sunday at Brookside GC. Hogarth also won the event in 1998 and 1999. 140 players competed in the 54-hole championship.
“I didn’t play very well today, but that’s one of the advantages to having a nice big lead,” said Hogarth after the victory.
Hogarth shot a third-round 75 Sunday after superb first and second round scores of 64 and 67, respectively. He entered Sunday with an 11-shot lead.
“It’s comfortable,” said Hogarth mid-round Sunday when asked what it was like to show up with an 11-stroke lead. “You feel like you can get it done. Honestly, I’m just working on my game and getting ready for Mesa Verde next week.”
Hogarth carded a three-day total of 8-under par 206.
Hogarth will next play at the SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Mesa Verde that begins April 4.
“I need some work,” said Hogarth when asked how he’s feeling heading into the Mid-Am. “Today showed me that I am not all the way dialed in. But this is my favorite time of year to play, with the Masters right now, so I’ll be ready. I promise.”
The competitors battled sub-par weather conditions all weekend, with rain coming down on and off Friday and Sunday and cold weather Saturday. Paul Misko of Thousand Oaks shot a 1-over par 215 for second place. Michael Timpson of Montrose finished with a 4-over 218 for third.
Hogarth, who has had a pro status in the past, said a win like this doesn’t motivate him to go pro again anytime soon. He did, however, have some advice for his younger competitors. “I think you have to really evaluate where your game stands,” he said. “You have to be consistently up there doing well. For me, it just wasn’t a good choice. Amateur golf has been really good to me.”
