BUCKINGHAM — Billy Witt of Kelseyville won the championship flight with a 7-under-par 65 on Saturday as the Lake County Amateur Golf Circuit kicked off its 19th season with the playing of the inaugural One Man Scramble at Buckingham Golf and Country Club.
The One Man Scramble is an ever-recurring mulligan fest with each golfer able to replay every one of his shots throughout the round. A popular format among club golfers, the One Man Scramble was seen as a good way to start off the season when many golfers still have cobwebs hanging from their golf clubs following the long winter layoff.
Witt, who was the Lake County Circuit”s top golfer in 2010, opened play with a 3-under 33 on the front nine to grab a one-stroke lead. He built upon his lead by making four birdies on the back nine for a 32. His 65 was good enough for a one-stroke victory over Juan Lopez of Finley. Lopez fired a 66 (34-32). Two strokes behind Lopez in third place was Norm Rentsch of Lakeport, who posted back-to-back 34s for a 68.
In a tightly contested net flight for golfers with handicaps of 10 and higher, Jack Lucich of Clearlake posted a net score of 58 to win. Joe DelPrete of Kelseyville was one stroke back at 59, Rich Steenwyck of Willits tied Todd Colbrandt of Middletown for third at 61, John Flynn of Cobb finished with 63 and Rich Knight of Kelseyville had 64.
The senior flight for golfers age 50 and older went to Lakeport”s Tom Jolin, who carded a 1-under-par 71 to win by two strokes. Jolin played even-par golf on the front nine and had a 1-under 35 over the final nine holes to cement his victory. Colin Ross of Buckingham finished second with 73 and Kelseyville High School golf coach John Berry came in third with a 3-over 75.
In the senior net flight, Ross” 73 penciled out to a net score of 59 for the 14-handicapper. Ross” net 59 tied him atop the leaderboard with George Bianchi of Kelseyville. Ross parred the first extra playoff hole while Bianchi made a bogey-five, resulting in Ross taking home the senior net title.
Dr. Bob Jolin of Lakeport finished with 62 while Jesse Santana of Kelseyville carded a round of 68.
The Lake County Amateur Golf Circuit hosts its second tournament of the year this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) with the playing of the 17th annual Lake County Partners Two Man Scramble at Buckingham Golf and Country Club. Entry form information is available by contacting the pro shop at 279-4863.
