Round 1 Chapter Championship - Haggin Oaks May 10

As the weather heats up, so do the golf events!  We had a great opening round for Chapter Championship on Saturday, May 10 at Haggin Oaks.  42 golfers came out to compete. Highlights include:

Karen Garcia appears to have a firm grip on Chapter Champion Low Gross with a sizzling score of 70!  Wow.  That may be hard to beat.  It was fun to watch.  Thankfully we did not have birdie juice or things could have got out of hand with her FIVE birdies! 

If the tournament ended now, Vicki Philpott, would eke out Chapter Champion Low Net by one stroke.   Round 2 will determine if she can hold the spot.  It won’t be easy as we had 8 golfers who shot net 72 or better:  Theresa Stamey, Esther Garcia, Marcia Whiting, Jody West, Kristine Burke, Rebecca Birch along with Vicki and Karen.  22 golfers scored in the net 70’s! 

It is a tightly bunched leaderboard and I expect lots of competition within the Flights.  As soon as Round 2 registration closes, we will determine the flights.  We have enough participation for 5 flights with approximately 9 golfers in each flight.  Prizes will be awarded to our Overall Champion, Overall Net Champion, and Low Gross and Low Net in each flight.  If you did not have the chance to compete in Round 1, or you would like to take a shot at improving your score, I hope you are able to play in the final round on June 1.  Registration opens May 12. 

The Haggin Oaks round was also a Tower Bridge Tour Event.  Be sure to look at the new leaderboard on the website.  We are half way through the tour.  5 events played and 5 events ahead of us.  At present, Flight A totals of 15.4 or higher are eligible for prizes.  Flight B totals of 19 or higher are eligible for prizes.  A long way to go so come out and play.   Net birdies  have proved to be important for tiebreakers.  This round, Theresa Stamey had 8 and coming in with 7 each – Yolanda Goff and my pal, Sonya Bradley!

Coming up -- The first Cal Cup Qualifier is May 17 at Mather Golf Course.  Registration is closed.  Our second Cal Cup Qualifier is June 14 at Timber Creek.  We will have a fun team for the August tournament hosted by our very own Sacramento Chapter.  The Committee is hard at work to make it a great event for everyone. 

With all these events coming quickly, this is a good time to get in a clinic on “75 yards and less” using your short irons.  We have two clinics scheduled for Sunday, May 18 with Coach Char at Haggin Oaks (10:00 am or noon options).  Go to the website to register now!

As always, any questions, concerns or feedback, please email golfevents@lpgaamatuerssacramento.com

Happy golfing!  

(Krista Wylder sets up camp while waiting for the public play to get out of range for her drive!)

On May 9, Chapter Member Paula Plesha made a Hole-In-One on number 16 at Timber Creek.  I'm sure she was practicing for Chapter Championship which was scheduled to begin the following day.  Looks like her game is tuned up!

Her playing partner, Marian Kubiak, chipped in for birdie on the same hole!   Nice playing ladies!

(Maybe the hole was in a really good location??)

Sunday turned into a fun filled day at the Reserve at Spanos Park.  I promised no rain after 9:00 and jackets were coming off by 9:30 when we first teed off.  27 ladies showed up with a smile and worked to increase their scores on the Tower Bridge Tour leaderboard.  Of note:

Scores of net 72 or better = Cheryl Vivas, Paula Plesha, Marcia Whiting.  An additional 10 players shot in the net 70’s.

Our game of the day was earning 1 point for every net par.  I originally estimated 12 would be the max number of net pars and 10 would be enough to get into the top third of players and score 6 leaderboard points.  As it turns out, we are better golfers than I anticipated!  Two players scored 16 net pars, two scored 14, one scored 13, and 4 players scored 12 net pars.  Those players earned the maximum 6 leaderboard points.  Interesting note, of the 9 players who earned the 6 points, four came from Flight A and five came from Flight B.  The leaderboard formula appears to be spreading the points. 

Check out the leaderboard under “Quick Links” on the front page of our website.  Karen Graser retained her grasp on first place in Flight A.  However, the door is open for others to make a move as she is going on a planned vacation and will miss our next round!  In Flight B, there is a tough crowd near the top.  Those net birdie scores of .1 are proving to be a difference maker as that is all that separates Paula Plesha and Marian Kubiak.  Two pals in a battle for the top!  Of course, with six events to go in the TBT, anyone can still make it to the top 10 prize positions. 

The course was in great condition.  The ball rolled fast on the fairways (and on the greens!)  As with any links style course, the challenge appeared to be staying out of the bunkers.  Thanks to everyone for showing up ready to take on the course.  And the post round sharing of french fries and a pint in the restaurant after golf was enjoyable as usual.  You all made it a great outing.  Thank you!

Now we know where the Junior Tour got their logo picture.....

Pam, Marian, and Stephanie all encounter the same bunker challenge at Spanos.

Laurie and Lori head straight to the bar for post round beverage. 

Kristine contemplates hitting over the bunker on her way to a par on #13

I heard we had an energetic group of golfers at Ancil Hoffman on Sunday.   Everyone seemed happy to toss their three worst scores for the round.  (I did have a couple of requests to toss more than three!) 

Many scores in the net 70’s and special recognition to two players with net 72 – Vicki Philpott and Rebecca Birch!  Nice playing. 

The leaderboard is beginning to take shape with our president, Karen Graser leading the pack in Flight A.  Flight B is closely bunched at the top.  There is still plenty of time to join in and make your move. 

We have two remaining spots for the event at The Reserve at Spanos on April 27. 

Next up, the first round of Chapter Championship is Saturday, May 10.  Registration will open this Thursday.  (Remember --We are playing two rounds for Chapter Champion this year – you may play in one or both – your best round will count.)

And, for those who have been to basic rules class, and would like to take on a bit more challenge, check out the upcoming Intermediate Rules Class.  

PDF of Article in NCGA Golf Winter 2025 Issue

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The Sacramento Chapter of LPGA Amateurs brought home the 2024 Cal Cup for the first time in several years.  The competition is a multi-chapter event among the California Chapters of LPGA Amateurs.  This year it was held November 8 - 10 in Los Angeles at the Wilson and Harding Golf Courses located within the confines of Griffith Park. 

Playing for Sacramento (L to R in the photo):  Jan Richmond, Marian Kubiak, Pam Katros, Ellie Jones, Jeri Paik, Krista Wylder, Vicki Philpott, Andra Sax, Jen Gregory, LaRhonda Sayles-Willis, Ramona Marshall, and Karen Graser.  Congratulations to all of you.

Sacramento will be hosting the competition in 2025 at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.