Jonathan Carlson lives next to Buckingham Country Club and he is a member at Adams Springs Golf Club. This weekend, he acted as if he owned Hidden Valley Lake Country Club as he demolished the rest of a strong regional field while capturing the third annual Hidden Valley Lake Amateur, a point event on the Northern California Golf Association circuit.
The 25-year-old Carl-son, a former Kelseyville High School and Point Loma University golf team member, opened play Saturday by shooting a tournament-record 8-under-par 64 that included seven birdies, an eagle on the par-5 12th hole, and just one bogey. Carlson slept on an eight-stroke lead and returned Sunday to shoot a safe 2-over-par 74. His 138 total was good enough for a six-stroke margin of victory.
Carlson attributed his victory to a series of lessons he took from Carl Lohren during the past several months. Lohren, a friend of Carlson”s uncle, Senior PGA Tour pro Babe Hiskey, revamped Carlson”s swing. The lessons look place both on Lohren”s Tennessee farm in Dandridge and in Palm Springs. The results have been very positive of late as Carlson won the NCGA Lake County Partners last June at Buckingham. Now he has added his first individual title of note at Hidden Valley Lake.
In second place was two-time Sonoma County and HVL Amateur champ John Dunn of Middletown. Dunn shot 75 on Saturday and came back with the low round Sunday, a 3-under-par 69 for an even-par 144 total.
One stroke behind Dunn in third place was Barry Silva of Hidden Valley Lake. He carded scores of 72-73 for a 145 total.
Rounding out the top five were Juan Lopez of Finley with 146 (76-70) and Kevin Kobalter of Marin with 148 (72-76).
In the net flight for golfers with handicaps of eight or higher, Sean Lyon of Hidden Valley won his division with 135 (71-64). One stroke back in second place was Jeff Vonwal of Clear Lake Riviera. Vonwal shot 136 (69-67). Chip Bowlin of Kelseyville was third at 139 (70-69).
The remainder of the top five included Ted Knowles of Lakeport at 140 (72-68) and Gary Moran of Lakeport at 143 (77-66).
In the senior division for golfers 55 and older, five-time Hidden Valley Lake club champion Grant Fahs shot 147 (76-71) to win by two strokes over Jack Streeter and Leonard Lea. Streeter, who has perfected the claw putting grip, shot 149 (73-76), while Lea came also finished at 149 (74-75).
Don Geiger was fourth with 151 (79-72) and Rene Purugganan of Windsor finished at 154 (77-77).
In the senior net flight, Dr. Leroy Bowser of Hidden Valley won his division with 134 (70-64). Tom Jolin of Lakeport was just a shot back at 135 (67-68), while Maury Kemp of Hidden Valley was next at 150 (79-71).
The staff at Hidden Valley Lake anticipates that next year”s HVL Am also will double as an NCGA senior point event.
