BUCKINGHAM — Leonard Lea of Clear Lake Riviera posted nine-hole totals of 38 and 37 for a 3-over-par 75 to capture the 13th annual Lake County Senior Amateur Golf Championship on Saturday at Buckingham Golf and Country Club.
It was Lea”s second Lake County Senior title, the first coming in 2002.
Lea jumped out to an early lead by shooting 38 on the front nine, putting him two shots ahead of four others. He continued his steady play throughout the back nine, accumulating pars and building upon his lead. Lea ended up winning the Senior Amateur by a five-shot margin. Slowed by nagging injuries the last six months, a healthier Lea beat out a strong senior field at Buckingham.
Kelseyville High School golf coach John Berry was a distant second following nine-hole scores of 40 and 40 for an 8-over-par 80. Berry hit 13 greens in regulation but struggled with his putting throughout the day. Steve Spina of Burlingame finished third with 83 (40-43), Frank Barthelmess of Kelseyville came in fourth with 87, and Ted Knowles of Kelseyville was fifth with 89.
Net flight
In the net flight for golfers with handicaps of 10 or higher, Dr. Bob Jolin of Lakeport rolled to a three-stroke victory over brother Tom Jolin. A 17-handicapper, Dr. Jolin carded a front-nine score of 45 and then caught fire on the back nine, playing par golf as he turned in a score of 36. His 81 total minus his 17 handicap left him with a net total of 8-under-par 64.
Tom Jolin of Lakeport, the defending Senior Amateur net champion, finished second behind his brother with a 2-under-par 70. Ron Mafrici of San Mateo recorded a net 73, Jack Lucich of Clearlake and Barthelmess tied for fourth with 74, and Dick Tracey of Lakeport had 75.
Sixteen golfers competed in this year”s Senior Amateur. Defending champion Manny Mendoza of Buckingham could not defend his title because of a previous commitment.
The Lake County Amateur Golf Circuit takes the month of July off and returns for a trio of tournaments in August, beginning with the Buckingham Junior Summer Classic on Aug. 9. The Lake County Junior Golf Championship takes place the next day ? Aug. 10 ? at Adams Springs Golf Course on Cobb Mountain.
The next open adult event is the second annual Lake County Alternate Shot Championship on Aug. 27-28 at Buckingham.
