The cream rose to the top this past Saturday at Buckingham Golf and Country Club during the playing of the 33rd annual Lake County Open Golf Championship. Matt Wotherspoon ran away from the rest of the field by shooting a -4 under par 68 to win by seven shots. It was Matt's third Lake County Open title having previously won last year's Open as well as the one held in 2020.
Wotherspoon took the lead from the very beginning, making birdies on the fourth, sixth, and eighth holes while posting a bogey six on the ninth hole for a -2 under par 34. He matched that score with a two birdie back nine. Matt made birdies on the 10th and 11th holes and then was on the par train for the final seven holes to shoot 68. After his round, Wotherspoon attributed his strong performance to his ability "to control the ball." It was a cool and breezy April day at Buckingham, but that seemed to have no impact upon Wotherspoon. A four time all-conference golfer at Kelseyville High School and a collegiate golfer at Cal State San Bernardino, Matt's schedule in the near future include U.S Open Qualifying and California State Amateur Qualifying.
Jeremiah Valador of Kelseyville finished in second place with a +3 over par 75. Valador continues to improve and has been a leader board regular of late. Clear Lake High School golf coach Juan Lopez came in third place with a 77 while Max Huff of Kelseyville was one further back with a 78. Hidden Valley Lake superintendent Billy Witt rounded out the top five with a 79. Buckingham's Pete Wotherspoon shot 80.
In the senior flight for golfers aged 50 and above, Lopez was senior titlist as a result of his 77 while Witt was second with his 79.
Ted Knowles of Kelseyville won the net flight for golfers with a handicap of 10 and above in a one hole sudden death playoff with a net par. Knowles carded a net 67. Kelseyville's Jimmy Hale also shot a net 67 and finished second. Darren Hostetler of Ukiah came in with a net 72 to secure third place while Dr. Bob Jolin of Lakeport was fourth with a net 77. Todd Colbrandt of Middletown came in fifth with a net 79.
In the senior net flight Terry Norwood of Lakeport overwhelmed the rest of the field with a net 63. Knowles was second with his net 67.
Following the tournament, Buckingham's PGA professional Mark Wotherspoon hosted the second annual Lake County Amateur Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Entered into the HOF was Charles Creecy, a great ball striker, and Gary Bagnani, owner of the circuit's best short game and a past Northern California Senior Amateur titlist. Creecy and Bagnani were competitive during the first 10 years of the circuit and played throughout the state. The late Jack Lucich of Clearlake was also inducted. A very competitive net golfer, Lucich was also a top notch rules official for the NCGA, the NCAA, and the North Coast Section. Ken Ribardo of Sparks was in attendance to receive his HOF plaque. Ribardo graciously accepted the honor and gave a short speech that focused on his improvement due to practice and competition.
The Lake County Three Person Championship is next on the calendar of the Lake County Amateur Golf Circuit. It is scheduled to be held at Buckingham on Saturday, May 11.
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