SNGA Tour Hits Desert Pines: Champion Comments
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 23, 2017)–Most golf tournaments are a marathon session played over days. But tournaments like the one-day Desert Pines SNGA Tour outing are a full-on sprint from the first hole. And for Jay Sostarich, it was a stunning 5-hole stretch early in the round that led to victory in the championship flight. The tournament was held Feb. 23, 2017 at Desert Pines Golf Club that saw no players finish under par. — By Bill Bowman.
Overall, Sostarich carded a three-over-par 74 on a cool, windy day. Sostarich, who started on the first hole in the shotgun event, played a five-hole stretch (Nos. 3-7) in four-under-par including an eagle and two birdies and then hung on for the win, posting a 34-40—74 total. He won by five strokes over Qian Qian, who carded a 42-37—79.
“The conditions were definitely tough,” Sostarich said of his first SNGA win. “Any time you have cool and windy weather it makes the course play that much more difficult.”
Sostarich added his second hole was definitely a key. “I drove it to the back of the green (a par-4) and then made about a 30-40 footer for eagle,” he said. “I haven’t made one of those in awhile so it was kind of nice.”
Championship
Jay Sostarich, 34-40—74
Qian Qian, 42-37—79
Casey Mersch, 37-43—80
Matthew Meyer, 40-40—80
Greg Whittemore, 40-40—80
Andy Sessa’s 35-40—75 total was good enough for a win in the Net Division. Michael Godfrey and Tom Emlaw were second, four shots back with 79s.
“I just tried to stay patient,” Sessa said. “I had some bad holes but I tried to stay away from the big scores. I knew it was a rough day for everyone. I did have a chip-in and that certainly helped the score.”
Net
Andy Sessa, 35-40—75
Michael Godfrey, 40-39—79
Tom Emlaw, 37-42—79
Kenneth Paul, Jr., 42-38—80
Michael Jacka, 42-38—80
Frank Acker wound up as the Senior Division champion with a four-over-par 75. Acker played consistent golf with his 38-37—75 total that included a pair of birdies, one on each nine.
“I actually played pretty well,” Acker said. “I did make a couple of long putts and that helped, but I also did miss some short putts.”
Senior
Frank Acker, 38-37—75
Joseph Gemma Jr., 43-41—84
Lynn Parker, 48-42—90
Brad Davis, playing in his first golf tournament ever, posted a victory in the Senior Net Division. “I just kept myself in play,” he said. “It worked out pretty well. Michael Fabian over at Canyon Gate has been helping me with my swing over the last couple of weeks and he, more than any other reason, is why I’m talking to you today.”
Senior Division Net
Brad Davis, 36-36—72
Jim O’Hare, 38-39—77
Jimmy Clark, 40-40—80
In the Silver Division, Michael Koch’s five-over-par score of 39-37—76 was good enough for a three-stroke victory over John Kelley. Koch’s round included three birdies.
“It was pretty brutal out there,” Koch said. “The three birdies I had were very, very long putts. I did miss a few short putts so I could have shot better.”
Koch, who recently moved to the Vegas area from Texas, was taking part in his first SNGA event. “I thought I’d give it a shot and I’m very pleased with the result.”
Silver Division
Michael Koch, 39-37—76
Keith Redmann, 38-42—80
Jeffrey English, 41-39—80
Frank Abbott, 43-37—80
John Kelly’s 37-34—71 round was good enough fr a three-stroke win in the Silver Division Net group. It was his second straight victory.
“The conditions were tough out there,” Kelly said. “It was cold and windy. It was a matter of survival. I played pretty good tee to green, but the greens were a little tough to figure out. And the pin positions were pretty tough as well.”
Silver Division Net
John Kelley, 37-34—71
Keith Redman, 35-39—74
Richard Southwick, 38-37—75
