Spread out among four flights, nearly 200 golfers participated in the 86th Amateur Net Championship, which concluded Aug. 22 at Los Serranos GC. The two-day event, known around the Southland as “The People’s Championship,” is the SCGA’s premier net championship, giving participants the opportunity to play a different course each day – the North and the South – at Los Serranos GC in Chino Hills.
Arroyo Flight
Elliott Yoo (SCGA Junior Club) turned on the jets late in his second round to secure the Arroyo Flight. Yoo posted a bogey-free 4-under back-nine with two birdies and an eagle, catapulting himself into the top spot with a final round 67. The youngster recorded a 68 on the first day and finished the championship four strokes ahead of Jason Vaughan (Burbank GC) and five strokes ahead of Donald Tuyin (Menudo GC).
Mission Flight
It was a tight leaderboard atop the Mission Flight for the entirety of the championship, with eight players finishing within five strokes of the eventual champion, Ferdinand Ison (Mt. Meadows GC). Ison was a model of consistency over the two-day championship, carding a 71-70 for a total of 5-under. Ison jumped out to a great start, posting a front-nine 38 with four net birdies to give himself a comfortable lead that he held onto down the stretch. Trailing our champion by just one stroke was Michael Mikus (Rancho Vista GC) and three others finished two back at 3-under.
Pacific Flight
Bobby Bhakta (Las Posas GC) held a tie of the overnight lead but had a handful of suitors as they play began on the final round. Some might say finding yourself atop the leaderboard in the SCGA Amateur Net Championship is the most dangerous lead in the sport. For once, the leader was able to hang on down the stretch. Bhakta came back and fired a 6-under 66 during the second round, highlighted by four net birdies in the last seven holes. Bhakta narrowly held off Jason Bader (Canyon Lake CC) who came in one stroke behind, and Rick Strattan (Rancho Vista GC) who finished three strokes short.
San Andreas Flight
The fourth and final flight was correctly named, as an earthquake of low scores came pouring in. There was a runaway victor, as Eric Burgett (MMGL) recorded the lowest championship total of the week, finishing at 16-under and seven strokes ahead of second place. Burgett opened the scoring barrage with three straight net eagles on the front-nine to take a commanding lead, before following that performance up with a 66 to seal the deal. Ulrich Schnetter (Westchester GC) pulled into second place at 9-under and Anthony Copeland (Green Tree GC) was one behind at 8-under.