Laughlin Am: Johnson, Roberts, Dopheide, Paul, Sabati Claim Titles
Sept. 10, 2018–Daren Johnson put together a three-birdie, no-bogey second round and went on to win the Championship Division of the 2018 Laughlin Amateur Championship held Sept. 8-9, 2018, at Mojave Golf Club. Todd Roberts staged a comeback to win the Senior Division while Mark Dopheide claimed the Silver Division title. Kenneth Paul won the Net/Senior Net Division title and Walter Sabati (Silver Net) also found the winner’s circle. –By Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff.
Championship
Daren Johnson, following an opening round even-par 72 that included two triple bogeys, played error-free golf the second day and won by one stroke over Ed Fryatt.
“Those two triples were just two holes apart (No. 4 and No. 6) but I managed to make birdie on each hole after so that helped me settle down and right the ship,” Johnson said. “I knew the guys behind were playing decent golf and I’d have to work hard to get it back but I did grind and got it back to even-par to at least give myself a chance.”
He said his attitude was the key.
“I just tried to stay calm and take a minute or so over shots to try and focus on what I was trying to do,” he said. “Getting it back to even was a great feeling of accomplishment.”
His second day was bogey-free and a confidence builder.
“This win was a big boost,” he said. “I was able to focus on hitting shots the way I needed to and I just played a very solid round.”
Championship
Daren Johnson, 72-69—141
Ed Fryatt, 72-70—142
Steve Zyla, 69-77—146
Senior
Todd Roberts also had to overcome a first-day stumble as he won for the fourth time in 2018. Following a 6-over-par 78 the opening day that included a quadruple bogey on his final hole, Roberts birdied four of his first nine holes the second day and cruised to the victory.
“That 18th hole is an incredibly intimidating hole,” Roberts said of his first-day struggles. “I hadn’t played the course before and wasn’t sure what to do. Obviously I picked the wrong club and hit it in the water. Then I topped another one in the water and wound up with that 8.”
He said despite the hiccup, he didn’t give up hope. “I got it going well (Sunday) and played pretty good golf,” he said. “I knew I had to go low to put some pressure on the guys in front of me. I was four-under through eight and hitting my irons close. I was playing well. I did give a few away on the way in but they had some troubles and I knew I was in pretty good shape.”
Senior
Todd Roberts, 78-70—148
Gary Lanzen, 76-77—153
Richard Dominquez, 72-83—155
Net/Senior Net
Kenneth Paul took command in the first round and won his first SNGA title in 2018, breezing to a five-shot victory.
He won in 2017 but has been working on his swing in 2018 and the results are showing up.
“I went and had a swing analysis,” he said. “I changed my grip, I’m choking up on the club and I’ve been working on my putting grip and it’s all starting to work together.”
And he hopes there’s more to come.
“I have a new set of clubs coming next week that I was fitted for so there are a lot of positives with my game right now.”
He said his play this week was simple. “I kept the ball in play and that always give you more confidence,” he said. “I had a couple of birdies both days and they were lengthy so I’m building more confidence all the time. My game is pretty good right now where it’s at.”
Net/Senior Net
Kenneth Paul, 67-76—143
Jeffrey Gilliame, 80-68—148
Gary Lanzen, 74-75–149
Silver
Mark Dopheide did what many have tried but few have accomplished: beat Frank Abbott for a Silver Division title.
Both players parred the first playoff hole and Dopheide made a par on the second hole for his second SNGA title. He won a Net title earlier in 2018. He had rounds of 70-75—145 while Abbott finished with 72-73—145.
Silver
Mark Dopheide, 70-75—145
Frank Abbott, 72-73—145
Kevin Parrish, 75-75—150
Silver Net
Walter Sabati made it two straight SNGA wins with a two shot victory in the Silver Net division.
“(Saturday) was solid but today I struggled a little,” he said. “I had a triple bogey on the 17th after I hit one in the water. I feel very lucky that I won.”
He said his key has been his thinking. “My course management has been getting much better,” he said. “I’m putting my drives in better areas and avoiding the sand traps and that always helps.”
He added his game is definitely on the upswing. “I’m striking the ball much better and that’s because I’m practicing more,” he said. “It’ definitely helped my game.”
Silver Net
Walter Sabati, 69-72—141
Loren Little, 71-72—143
John Kelley, 77-71—148
