During a tournament which saw the temperature vary by nearly 50 degrees, the one thing that remained steady was the team of Herb Jensen and Mark Miller. While locals predicted that no team would reach a double-digit total under par, the duo of Jensen and Miller carded a blemish-free, bogey-free tournament by returning scores of 65-67—132 (12-under par). In fact, Miller jokingly admitted that they were never really in jeopardy of making a team bogey, as their longest putt to save par was only six feet.
As natives of Northern California who are also members of the SCGA, Jensen and Miller enjoy travelling to other nearby team events. The courses and competition that the SCGA offers makes travelling to Southern California a great destination for them to take their game on the road. This marks the third year the pair has competed in the SCGA Senior Four-Ball, placing third and fifth their last two attempts. Jeff Burda, another resident of Northern California and member of the SCGA, won this year’s SCGA Senior Amateur this past June at the Victoria Club. The two associations’ top players are playing more and more events in opposite territory – increasing the prestige and competition at tournaments throughout the state.
The closest competition, finishing at 10-under par (134), was the team featuring the 2010 SCGA Senior Amateur and Senior Match Play Champion, Brad Larsen, and partner, Scott Parker. After making the turn in 32, Larsen and Parker figured they had gained ground on the leaders; however, through five holes, the leaders were also 4-under par for their second round.
Larsen’s eagle on the par-5 10th kept the tournament close, propelling them to the second lowest round of the event – a 6-under par 66. Rounding out the top six were the teams of Pat Duncan and John Hoffman (138), two-time champions Boyd Martin and Rich Tolly (139), Clark Heath and Ted Olsen (140), and Mel Collins and David Ujihara (140). The Ranch Course at the Alisal once again proved to be a fabulous host, as the course and putting greens were in as good of condition as they’ve ever been before.
