Robert Gautney: John Balfanz earns berth in state amateur
| Wednesday, May 20 2009 09:25 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, May 20 2009 09:25 PM
John Balfanz played his way into a spot in the California State Amateur next month with a tough even-par 72 at Old Ranch CC in Seal Beach on Wednesday and at the same time kept Bakersfield players from being shut out in qualifying for a handful of championships.
Balfanz was equal second with Issei Suenaga of Dove Canyon, just one shot back of medalist William Degenhart of Manhattan Beach, who was the only player in the 75-player field to break par at 1-under 71. It took a 1-over 73 to earn one of the eight spots up for grabs. Bakersfield's Steve Roodzant shot a 77 and was equal 20th.
The CSA will be June 22-27 at Lake Merced Golf Course in Daly City.
Other local players who missed out on qualifying for the CSA were Bryan Hogan, who was 24th at Empire Lakes Golf Course in Rancho Cucamonga, and Tyler Hurst, who was 43rd in a 68-player field at El Camino Country Club.
There are five local payers who will be participating today (Thursday) at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande and results will be in next week's column.
In U.S. Open qualifying at Annandale Golf Course in Pasadena, Centennial High's Manav Shah just missed out on advancing into the sectional round as he shot a 1-over 73, but it took a 1-under 71 to earn one of the six qualifying spots.
At Moorpark Country Club, Thomas Watkins was 50th in a field of 77 in qualifying for the 32nd SCGA Senior Amateur Championship. It took a 77 to make the top 13 and advance to the finals June 1-2 at North Ranch CC in Westlake Village.
LABARE WINS NORTH KERN/BUENA VISTA MEN'S CLUB
Scott LaBare edged Hank Hoss and Dan Hogan to win the first combined North Kern and Buena Vista Men's Club title with Blake McPherson and Ron Kilmer equal 4th.
Joe Finn was the second flight winner with Marlin Isaacs low net, while Craig Dowd was third flight champion. Tom Aguilar, Ernest Forsberg and Tom Herrer tied for low net in the third flight.
Duke La (No.2), Kevin Adams (No.7) and Jim Cupp (No.11) were closest-to-the-hole winners at NK on Saturday while LaBare (No.2), Frank Strange (No.6) and Bud Brinkley (No.13) were winners at BV on Sunday.
The next club tournament will be June 21 at NK and will be a Super Skins. Call 399-0347 to enter or get more information.
59TH KERN COUNTY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
By this time next Wednesday, the 59th Kern County Senior champion will be crowned at Foss-Kern River. Last year Junior Kennedy shot a tournament record 6-under 64 to win his first KC Senior title.
Players 50 and older by May 27 can compete in the 18-hole championship. Entry is $10, plus greens and/or cart fees. There will be prizes in both gross and net within the flighted age divisions.
Players may make up their own groups and tee times will run from 7 a.m. until noon. Call 872-5128 to enter.
KERN COUNTY 4-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Entries are being accepted for the annual Kern County 4-Ball Championship at Haggerty-North Kern June 27-28. Entry is $170 per two-player team.
Team partners must be within seven shots of each other or the higher indexed player must play down to that figure.
The 4-Ball is a better-ball event in which the top 10 gross scoring teams receive points toward the 2009 Sports Authority/Michelob Ultra Player of the year Series. The 4-Ball is the second of seven tournaments, the first was the Arvin City Amateur in April which was won by Brian Edick of Valencia.
Call 399-0347 to enter. If you don't have a partner, the staff at NK will team you up with a comparable ability player.
FREE JUNIOR LESSONS AT KERN RIVER, NORTH KERN
Local juniors can receive two weeks of free lessons as the Foss-Kern River and Haggerty-North Kern professional staffs will conduct free lessons for kids age 7-17.
The KR clinic will be June 1-5 each day from 9-10:30 a.m. and the NK clinic will be June 8-10 from 9-10:30 a.m.
No need for any advanced sign-ups at either clinic, just show up and receive instruction in all areas of the game including ettiquette.
Call KR at 872-5128 or NK at 399-0347 to get more information.
CHIP SHOTS
* Julian Williamson aced the third hole at RiverLakes Ranch with a 6-iron from 175 yards.
* Tony Butlig used a 6-iron to make an ace on the 5th hole at RiverLakes Ranch from 155 yards.
* The 15th Coyote Wrestling Club/Stephen Neal Golf Tournament will be May 23 at Kern River. Entry is $75. Call Joe Smart at 703-4313 or Mike Stricker at 589-3311.
* The Junior Golf Academy of Bakersfield will hold a fund-raising scramble at RiverLakes Ranch on May 31. Entry is $100 and proceeds will benefit a trip by the Academy Junior Players to the Nations Pepsi Golf Challenge at PGA Village in Point St. Lucie, Fla in August. Call Mike Moore at 496-0631.
* The Central California Intensity Golf Tournament will be June 13 at noon at the Buena Vista golf course. Entry is $100 per player. Contact 398-0740 to enter, or sponsor a hole or a tee.
* The Bakersfield Christian Boys golf team won the Division II Central Section Championship on Tuesday at Belmont CC with a score of 430 to edge Fresno Christian by four strokes. BC will advance to the Southern California High School Regionals at the SCGA Course in Murietta. In Division I, Garces was the low local team with a 380 to tie for second, but it lost a card-off to Porterville to advance onto the Regionals. Other local teams included pre-tournament favorites Stockdale at 389 and Centennial at 396.
Tee to Green appears weekly at Bakersfield.com/sports. You can reach Gautney at rgautney@bak.rr.com.
