Players of the Year
Player of the Year - Bob Niger
Hometown: El Dorado Hills
Home course: Serrano CC
Profession: Wholesale Distribution
Points: 2,435 (1,300 more than the second-place finisher)
Wins: 12
- Santa Rosa City
- Livermore Valley
- Wine Country Cup
- Diablo Valley
- Tulare County
- California Mid-Amateur
- Plumas Lake
- Manteca City
- Sacramento City
- State Fair
- NCGA Master Division
- NCGA Valley Amateur
Top Tens: 11
- NCGA Four-Ball – third place
- San Joaquin County – fourth place
- NCGA Stoke Play – ninth place
- NCGA Match Play - quarterfinalist
Niger notched his fourth different NCGA title this year, one of two players to have this distinction.
“I exceeded all goals by a long shot in 2006, it was an exceptional year. Winning the Player of the Year Award was a byproduct of meeting my goals.”
“I never want to live anywhere else because the NCGA provides the best experience for serious amateur golfers.”
Senior Player of the Year - Gary Vanier
Hometown: Pleasant Hill
Home course: The Olympic Club
Profession: Stockbroker
Senior Points: 1,305 (38 more than the second-place finisher)
Wins: 1
- NCGA Senior Valley Amateur
Top Tens:
- State Senior – second place
- NCGA Senior - second place
- Antioch Master/Senior Four-Ball - second place
- NCGA Stroke Play - fourth place
- Alameda Commuters - eighth place
- U.S. Senior Amateur - round of 16
Vanier earned player-of-the-year honors by virtue of his Valley Senior Amateur victory in the last week of the season. His first year of senior competition was also highlighted by strong performances in regular amateur events such as the NCGA Stroke Play and Alameda Commuters.
“I feel rejuvenated playing as a senior this year - I’m probably striking the ball as well as I ever have. I’ve been successful at every level I’ve played and I’m very proud of that.”