STOCKER CUP INVITATIONAL

 

19th Annual Stocker Cup  -  October 21-24, 2010

 

• Results and Scorecards - "A" Player Field 
• Results and Scorecards - "B" Player Field 

 

 

Champion Kevin Marsh

CARMEL, Calif. (October 24, 2010) - Kevin Marsh burnished an already sterling reputation as one of the finest mid-amateurs on the West Coast with a second consecutive victory at the 19^th annual Stocker Cup.

 

The 37-year-old came from four strokes behind in the final round – again – to overtake Brad Wilder of Ft. Wright, Kentucky by one shot at the Tom Fazio-designed Preserve Golf Club on a rainy, blustery day.

 

Coming into the final round, Wilder had built a four-shot lead on the strength of terrific first- and third-round scores of 68 and 67, respectively. But after extending the lead to five after the first hole, the 31-year-old would give back four shots via a double bogey, bogey, par and bogey four-hole stretch. “It flipped quickly,” Marsh said. “The weather, in a way, made it easier because I was just trying to survive instead of focusing on what anyone else was doing. Then I got on a run and that was huge.”

 

That run amounted to three straight birdies on holes six through eight. The Las Vegas resident crafted a two-stroke lead until a bogey on 16 left the door open for Wilder. But solid chipping from the eventual champion brought pars on 17 and 18 and the victory, punctuated by a six-foot par putt on the final hole for a two-under 70 and a seven-under 281 total.

 

“He hadn’t missed one of that length all day,” Wilder said. “So I knew I had to make mine.” But the runner-up’s 25-footer slid just underneath the hole. The University of Cincinnati alum had been on a roll. Two weeks prior, he and partner (and Stocker Cup competitor) Mark Knecht captured the Bear’s Invitational in Jupiter, Florida. A putting tip from Knecht Wednesday seemed to unlock the Kentuckian, producing the lead. “I’m proud of the way I played the last 12 holes,” Wilder said, referencing a one-under performance over that stretch. But his final-round 75 (for a six-under 282 total) was not enough to put away the seasoned champion.

 

Brad Wilder

With the weather and course difficulty, the final round quickly became a two-horse race as attention focused on the final pairing. Mike McCoy of West Des Moines, Iowa took third place on the strength of the only other sub-par final round, a 71 that left McCoy eight behind the champion. California State Amateur finalist Harry Rudolph of La Jolla took fourth while Randy Haag of Burlingame and Steve Hudson or Birmingham, Alabama tied for fifth. By virtue of a scorecard playoff, Haag earned his second consecutive Tatum Trophy, named for former USGA president Sandy Tatum and given to the best finisher over age 50.

 

Marsh’s victory adds to his collection of trophies, which includes the 2009 Stocker Cup, 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur, 2006 and 2008 SCGA Amateurs, and consecutive Carlton Woods Invitational titles, to name just a few. The Pepperdine alum is only the second back-to-back winner – Michael Brannon in 1994-1995 was the other. “I’ve played some good golf over the past five years,” the champion said. “I’ve been consistent and have given myself chances to win.” 

 

Based on the results of another Stocker Cup victory, the champion is giving himself shots at the winner’s circle more often than not.

 

 

 

Randy Haag and John Nichols

At Saturday night’s awards dinner, the Elliott Cup was presented to B-Player John Nichols of Rancho Murieta and Randy Haag. The Elliott Cup is a 54-hole best-ball team competition that pits one of the scratch A-Players with a B-Player competing at 90% of his assigned handicap. Other awards for lowest daily rounds were also presented.

Notes:

• Marsh joins an elite group of multiple Stocker title winners including Brannon, Randy Haag ('92 and '97) and Craig Doell ('04 and '07).

• Competitors praised the 7,067-yard Preserve GC and its superb conditioning, directed by superintendent Cory Isom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Marsh	Dragon Ridge Golf Club	69	74	68	70		281
Brad Wilder	Summit Hills Country Club	68	72	67	75		282
Mike McCoy	Wakonda Club	73	73	72	71		289
Harry Rudolph	Torrey Pines	70	70	73	79		292
Randy Haag	The Olympic Club	69	73	76	75		293
Steve Hudson	Old Overton	70	71	72	80		293
Jerry Ledzinski	Tehama Golf Club	68	76	72	78		294
Mark Mance	Olympic Club	71	72	72	79		294
Gene Elliott	Glen Oaks Country Club	75	76	68	75		294
Billy Williamson	Coldstream Country Club	79	70	68	82		299
Steve White	Shooting Star	77	74	74	75		300
Darryl Donovan	Cordevalle	73	72	75	80		300
Joe Sanders	Incline Village	75	78	72	75		300
Brady Exber	Rio Secco	75	75	74	76		300
Jason Pridmore	Spanish Hills Country Club	79	74	72	76		301
Mike Rowley	San Luis Obispo Country Club	76	76	73	77		302
Bob Burton	Estancia Club	72	76	76	78		302
Paul Balatti	Mayacama	74	77	74	78		303
Bob Gregorski	North Shore Golf Club	77	72	75	82		306
Ron Ewing	Stevinson Ranch	72	76	74	85		307

 

 

  

 

 

CARMEL, Calif. (October 23, 2010) - Brad Wilder's sterling third-round 67 has him out to a four-stroke lead at the conclusion of the third round of the 19th annual Stocker Cup at the Preserve Golf Club.

 

Brad Wilder

The 31-year-old Kentuckian had some troubles on the day, including two double bogeys, but nine birdies, the product of a blazing hot putter, more than compensated. "You can't shoot 67 without making a few you shouldn't," he said, possible referencing a 60-foot bomb he jarrred on the 6th hole. The seven-time Stocker participant has fondness for the Tom Fazio course and has perfected an approach that is obviously paying off. "The course really fits my eye," the 2001 University of Cincinnati graduate said. "You have to hit soft shots with little spin. Back home we call it a Stocker shot."  The 67 is two off the course and tournament record of 65, fired by Dave Nelson in 2004.

 

Defending champion Kevin Marsh posted a 68 to stay within striking distance at 211 overall. Steve Hudson of Birmingham, Alabama is six back of Wilder, and is grateful for a strong incoming nine that overcame an outgoing four-over 40 due in part to the two chips needed to make bogey on the 17th hole (more on 17 below). Hudson is tied with third round co-leader Harry Rudolph, who posted a third-round 73. The Olympic Club's Mark Mance is the only other competitor under par for the tournament at 215 overall, eight back of Wilder.

 

The Elliott Cup, a 54-hole best-ball team competition that pits one of the scratch A-Players with a B-Player competing at 90% of their assigned handicap , was won by “B” player John Nichols of Rancho Murieta, playing in his first Stocker Cup. Nichols carded consistent rounds of 65-66-66 to win by one stroke over Matt Pingatore of The Olympic Club, who earned an award for the low round of the event - a net 62 in the second round, and Mark Flynn of the Preserve. Players changed partners throughout the three-day competition, with awards for the best “A team player and “B” player given at Saturday night's awards dinner. Those awards went to Nichols and "A" player Randy Haag.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

John Nichols

Randy Haag

• Inclement weather was again a factor with swirly winds and rain intensifying as the day progressed. Brad Wilder had a distinct advantage in teeing off with the first group of the day and

  finishing before the worst of the weather arrived.

• The par-5 17th hole claimed a number of victims Saturday, with a difficult back right hole
  location positioned on a tier. Andy White took an 11 after reaching

  the green in regulation because of putting the ball off the green twice. Randy Haag, who started the day two shots out of the lead, posted an 8 after watching a putt sail backwards.

• The players with the top 20 scores and ties make the cut for the final round. This year the cut came in at nine-over 225 with a perfect 20 players beginning play at 8:00 tomorrow morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARMEL, Calif. (October 22, 2010) - Under persistent mist and light rain, the 2010 Stocker Cup's second round was contested Friday at the Preserve Golf Club.

 

Harry Rudolph (photo Mike Mustacchi)

Steve Hudson (photo Mike Mustacchi)

Ft. Wright, Kentucky's Brad Wilder, 31,  threatened to run away with the tournament mid-way through the second round. The first round co-leader stood at seven under for the event standing on the 11th tee but gave three strokes back as the rain became more intense and now holds a share of the lead at four-under par 140.  "When it was raining the hardest I lost a few strokes," he said.

 

Tied with Wilder is 40-year-old Harry Rudolph of La Jolla, who posted duplicate two-under 70s. The 2010 California State Amateur finalist and Kelly Cup Champion at Lakeside GC in Toluca Lake played well Friday but struggled to close out his round. The owner of Harry's Coffee Shop in LaJolla dropped three strokes on the last four holes, including a costly double bogey on his final hole. "The course was playing longer today and it was a bummer to finish the round like that," he said. "But I try to keep it in perspective.

 

Birmingham, Alabama's Steve Hudson wasn't bothered by the weather. The first-time participant is a two-time Alabama Golf Association player of the year and is capping a tremendous 2010 that saw him win his state mid-amateur title and qualify for the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee.  Hudson followed an opening 70 with a one-under 71, leaving him one back and seems to have learned the secret of playing well at the Preserve. "What a treat it is to come to a place like this," he said. "This is the type of course where par is a good score. You can't let up on any hole and you can't get greedy."

 

Two-time Stocker Cup champion  Randy Haag is two shots back after a second round 73 (69-73--142) while defending champion Kevin Marsh is three behind after a second round 74. Also in the mix at the halfway point are Mark Mance of The Olympic Club (71-72--143), who is three behind the leaders and tied with Marsh and CordeValle's Darryl Donovan (73-72--145).

 

The battle for the Elliott Trophy saw Brad Stroh hold onto his first-round lead. Playing his home course with "A" player Kerry Mann (who shot 76), Stroh posted another eight-under net 64 and leads by two shots over Jack Myers of Claremont Country Club.

 

Competitors switched "A"-player partners, as they will do for the final round of the event Saturday. The field of 48 "A" players is cut to the low 20 scores and ties for the final round Sunday.

Notes:

• The adverse weather the tournament experienced is the first since the final round in 2008.
• Georgia's Billy Mitchell and Billy Williamson of Cincinnati, Ohio had the experienced Jekyll and Hyde-like  first two days. Both carded first round 7 over 79s that turned into second round two-under 70s, a nine-shot improvement. Bob Gregorski of Wisconsin witnessed a 10-shot improvement from his front nine to back nine in the second round, going out in 41 strokes and closing with a stellar 31 for an even par total.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE STOCKER CUP: The Stocker Cup, played in memory of Peter Stocker, is held each October at The Preserve Golf Club in Carmel. The championship field is comprised of 45 mid-amateur invitees, plus an additional 5 players who earn their entries via a qualifying round held prior to the event. Those final A-list golfers are complimented by a matching number of qualified B-list competitors, with invitations extended to friends, relatives and associates of the late Peter Stocker, as well as to various sponsors and other supporters of the event. In each round an A-player is teamed with a B-player in a net best-ball competition held simultaneously with the individual stroke-championship. The Stocker Cup is a Golfweek/amateurgolf.com Men’s World Rankings event. (Visit http://www.golfweek.com/amateur/rankings to view the complete list.)

 

ABOUT PETER STOCKER: Peter C. Stocker was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and educated at Denison University and the University of Denver. Peter and his wife Cathy came to San Francisco in the early 1970s. He exhibited entrepreneurial skills early in his career as he developed the internationally recognized "ParCourse" exercise and jogging trails. In 1974, Peter and his partners Bill Harlan and John Montgomery founded the Pacific Union Company of San Francisco, a highly successful real estate development firm. Pacific Union developed Meadowood Resort and Merryvale Vineyards in the Napa Valley, Opera Plaza in San Francisco's Civic Center and began the development of what was then known as Rancho San Carlos (and is now called The Preserve) a 20,000-acre private ranch near Carmel Valley. In the mid-1980s, Peter received national acclaim for his attempt to build a new downtown baseball stadium for the Giants, which ultimately came to fruition in 1998. He was also the developer of the highly touted Chardonnay Golf Club in the Napa Valley. His visionary talent and inspirational leadership were truly unique. Peter died in a tragic helicopter accident at Rancho San Carlos in 1990. The Stocker Cup Invitational was established in his memory the following year.

 

 

 

 

CARMEL, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2010) — The Stocker Cup commenced with first-round action at the Preserve GC Thursday.

 

Brad Wilder Jerry Ledzinski

The world-class mid-amateur field gathered to pay tribute to the spirit of competition embodied by tournament namesake Peter Stocker.  With a tight leader board featuring 7 player under par, that spirit lives on.

 

Co-leaders Jerry Ledzinski and Brad Wilder had similar experiences to start their tournament, both running into difficulty on the innocuous-off-the-tee par-4 10th. The treacherous green produced a four-putt double for Ledzinski and and a bogey for Wilder.  Neither seemed bothered, going on to post stellar four0under 68s to lead by one. "I wish I could say I saw this coming," Ledzinski, a Tehama Club member, said referring to his low round. "But I really wanted to relax and have fun with my partner."

 

"That green is so hard," Wilder, 31, said referring to the 10th. "But I made a 10-footer for par on 11 and that really calmed me down." The former University of Cincinnati standout has captured that last two Greater Cincinnati Golf Association Four-Ball championships with partner Billy WIilliamson, who is also in the Stocker Cup field.

 

Defending champion Kevin Marsh and 2009 runner-up Randy Haag played together and might have thought that the intervening year never happened as both competitors picked up right where they left off last October in posting three-under 69s. Marsh, the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, had a lukewarm day with the putter that kept the Dragon Ridge GC member from going lower. "I just couldn't make anything" he said regarding a round that saw the 2010 State Amateur semifinalist miss only one green.

 

Haag, the NCGA Player of the Year for a record fifth time, has had perhaps the most consistent year in his storied career. "I think more than half my rounds this season have been in the 60s," the 51-year-old said. "That's what I aspire to and it really makes it fun for an amateur golfer."

 

The Stocker Cup is also a team competition pairing the "A" field with partners playing at 90% of their course handicap for the Elliott Trophy, which is presented after Saturday's third round. Brad Stroh, playing his home club, and Jeff Britton of Tehama, are out to a one-stroke lead in the "B" player field, carding 8-under net 64s. Stroh played partner Harry Rudolph of La Jolla while Britton played with Steve Hudson of Old Overton GC.

 

Notes:

• Representatives from Straight Down and Hot Stix were on hand at the driving range providing custom club fitting and on-site embroidery for competitors.
• Former champions are well represented on the leader board with Haag ('92 and '97), Marsh ('09), as well as Craig Doell ('04 and "07, who is six back).