Players are listed below because they have:
- Earned NCGA Player-of-the-Year honors recently or have won multiple awards in the past and are still active competitively.
- Won a significant event (USGA championship or State Amateur) in recent years.
- Compiled a sustained, successful competitive record over many years of competition in NCGA events.
Darryl Donovan
Hometown: Gilroy; Home Club: CordeValle GC
Born: 3-23-60; College: Oklahoma City (1986); Profession: CEO of Critical Clean Solutions
Career Accomplishments: In 2011, tied for first at Monterey County Four-Ball with partner Randy Haag … Won the NCGA Four-Ball in 2010 for the second time with partner Randy Haag…In 2007, won the Roddy Ranch Four-Ball with partner Casey Boyns at Roddy Ranch … Won the 2002 Scratch Players Mid-Amateur at Sea Ranch GC … Won the 2001 CGA (State) Amateur Championship, beating Travis Johnson of Bellflower, 4 and 3, in the final match … In doing so, he became the first player from the NCGA to win the title since 1993 (Casey Boyns) … Followed that win a week later with his third straight victory in the Monterey City Championship, shooting a final-round 67 in the process … Won the Alameda Commuters Championship for the second time … Finished fourth on the points list for 2000 NCGA Player of the Year honors … Was a member of the NCGA team at the 2000 CGA (State) Amateur, Seaver Cup and NCGA/NCPGA Cup Matches … Won the 2000 NCGA Four-Ball Championship at Spyglass Hill GC with partner Randy Haag, tying the scoring record with a 13-under-par 203 … Also in 2000, won the Alameda Commuters Championship and the Easter Classic … Made a smashing return to NCGA tournament golf with a win in the 1999 NCGA Amateur at Spyglass Hill, beating Bob Niger in the final … In ’98, won the Antioch City Best Ball with partner George Erbez and took the Paso Robles City Championship … Also qualified for the USGA Mid-Amateur … Former professional who in 1993 finished 16th in the Philippine Open and 19th in the Hong Kong Open … Was medalist at qualifying school for the Canadian Tour in 1992 and won two mini-tour events that year … Also was medalist at both the local and sectional qualifiers for the 1992 U.S. Open and went on the finish 56th in the championship at Pebble Beach … Also in ’92, won the Prince Edward Island Open … Military golf career includes a second and a third in the All-Military Inter Service Championships and two seconds in the All-Army Championships … Won the United States Army European Championships in 1988 and 1989 … As a collegian, finished fifth in stroke play qualifying at the 1984 U.S. Amateur and won the Oral Roberts Intercollegiate.
Terry Foreman
Hometown: Antioch; Home Club: Antioch GC
Born: 3-8-1957; College: San Jose State; Profession: Police officer
Career Accomplishments: In 2010, placed runner-up at Monterey Bay Championship at Bayonet Black Horse … Won the 2007 Lone Tree Master/Senior with partner Mark Miller and finished runner-up in 2008. Placed runner-up at the 2007 East County Master Championship at Lone Tree … Won Monterey Bay Championship in 2006, narrowly edging out runner-up Andrew Bowdish … In 2004, advanced to the finals of the NCGA Amateur Match Play Championship before losing to Spencer Levin … Won the 2004 and 2005 NCGA Master Division Four-Balls with James Hay … Won the Monterey Bay Four-Ball with Mark Miller … Won the Carson City Pro-scratch event with Matt Bettencourt … Tied for second at the East County Masters and was also second at the Antioch Master Senior Four-Ball with Bob Callan … Earned a trip to the quarterfinals of the San Francisco City … Won the Antioch City Championship in 2003 and won the Roddy Ranch 4-ball with James Hay that year as well. Won his first NCGA championship in 1977 with a victory at the Pubic Links ….Has also appeared in four U.S. Amateurs and two British Amateurs, making it to the quarterfinals at Turnberry in 1983 … Played on the European Tour from 1984 through 1986.
Jeff Gilchrist
Hometown: Sacramento; Home Club: Ancil Hoffman GC
Born: 4-24-72; College: UC Santa Barbara
Career Accomplishments: Advanced to the finals of the 2006 State Amateur, losing to champion Jordan Nasser… In 2004, won the Sacramento Regional Four-Ball for the second time and lost in the first round of the U.S. Public Links … Lost in the first round of the State Amateur at Pebble Beach GL … In 2003, advanced to the second round of the U.S. Public Links and the U.S. Mid-Amateur (defeating 2000 champ Greg Puga, 8 and 7) … Finished second at the 2003 NCGA Public Links Championship … Turned professional in 1997 and regained amateur status in 2003 … As a professional, played two full seasons on the Canadian Tour … In 1999, won seven Pepsi Tour events and the money title … Won Casey’s Christmas Classic in 1998, shooting 69-63 … Had seven wins in Northern California in 1996 and was medalist at the State Amateur … Advanced to the second round of the 1996 U.S. Amateur at Pumpkin Ridge, after finishing tied for fourth in stroke play qualifying … Represented California in the USGA State Team Championship … Won the 1995 NCGA Amateur at Spyglass Hill GC, closing out one of his matches with a hole-in-one on the 15th hole … Made the quarterfinals the year before … Has been medalist in four different USGA qualifiers … Was part of the first UC Santa Barbara team to play in the NCAA Tournament.
Randy Haag
Hometown: San Francisco; Home Club: Olympic Club
Born: 1-9-59; College: San Diego State (1981); Profession: Vice President – Cahir Capital
Career Accomplishments: Won the 2011 Wine Country Cup, Roddy Ranch Championship and amateurgolf.com Mid-Amateur on his way to a third straight Player of the Year award and sixth overall. Also competed in U.S. Senior Open at Inverness in Toledo, Ohio. Earned low amateur honors at the British Senior Open in 2010 and 2011; Captured the NCGA Four-Ball for the fourth time, the second with partner Darryl Donovan, took runner-up honors at the NCGA Master Division and garnered medalist honors at the NCGA Amateur in 2010 on his way to a record fifth player of the year award … In 2009, won the Monterey City and NCGA Master Division and qualified for the British Senior Open…Was named 2009 NCGA Player of the Year to go along with awards in ’93, ’95 and ’99 … Three time BridgestoneAmateurGolf.com Player of the Year (2007, 2008, 2009) … Was runner-up in the San Francisco City in 2008 and captured the amateurgolf.com Wine Country Cup at Stonetree … In 2007, claimed both the Silicone Valley Championship at Coyote Creek and Wine Country Cup at Stonetree GC … Tied for runner-up place at the California Mid-Am at Stevinson Ranch … Partnered with Jamie Looper to place second at the Roddy Ranch Four-Ball Championship … Tied for second-place at the Santa Clara County Championship at San Jose CC … Won the 2004 Wine Country Cup at StoneTree GC and the Monterey Bay Championship at Bayonet/Black Horse GCs… Advanced to the semifinals of the 2003 NCGA Amateur, the eighth time in the last 11 years he has at least made it that far … Came out of a personal slump with a victory at the 2002 Master Division Championship at Winchester CC … Won the 2000 and 2002 Crump Cup at Pine Valley GC … Was runner-up to James Hay in the final of the 2000 NCGA Amateur … Competed on the NCGA team in the 2000 Seaver Cup (where he handily defeated 2000 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Greg Puga of the SCGA team) and NCGA/NCPGA Cup Matches … Won the 2000 NCGA Four-Ball Championship (for the third time) with partner Darryl Donovan, tying the all-time scoring record with a 13-under-par 203 … Has played in eight of the last nine U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships (the lone exception being 1996), advancing to match play in an all eight events, advancing to the quarterfinals an unprecedented five times and the round of 16 twice (including 2000) … During the ’90s, won the third-most USGA matches of all current amateurs in the country, which included 19 matches at the U.S. Mid-Am and three at the U.S. Amateur … Won the Bay Regional a record fifth time in 2000, breaking the 68-year-old scoring record with a 276 … Accumulated the second-highest point total in NCGA history in winning the award … Won the 1999 San Francisco City Championship, beating longtime rival Gary Vanier in the final match … Won the 1999 NCGA San Joaquin Valley Championship at Stevinson Ranch GC by three shots … Won the 1999 NCGA Master Division Championship in his first try … Also during the ’99 season, captured the Sonoma County and Marin County and was runner-up at the Contra Costa Amateur, Vacaville City and Monterey County … Has played 29 USGA matches in the ’90s … Is the all-time NCGA point leader with more than 10,000 career points … Has won 11 NCGA championships … Won the NCGA Amateur two years in a row (1992 and 1993) and was runner-up in 1995 … Runner-up at the CGA (State) Amateur in 1988 and advanced to the semifinals in 1996 … Won the Stocker Cup for the second time in 1997, also winning in 1993 … Was medalist at the U.S. Amateur in 1996 … Competed in the Pacific Coast Amateur 14 straight years, finishing second in 1995, 3rd in 1994 and in the top ten a total of five times … Has won 25 other Northern California tournaments in his lifetime … Also owns 19 club championships, including Blackhawk CC, Boundary Oaks GC and the Olympic Club title in 1997 … Owns the course records at the Blackhawk CC Lake and Falls courses with 65s, as well as the competitive record at Lake Tahoe GC, a 65 … Shot a course-record 67 at Edgewood Tahoe GC … Has participated in 13 straight NCGA/NCPGA Cup Matches … Also played on seven North/South teams and three winning Pacific Coast Amateur Morse Cup teams.
Scott Hardy
Hometown: Pittsburg; Home Club: Scratch Players GC
Born: 10-31-75; College: Saint Mary’s College; Profession: Head Men’s Golf Coach at Saint Mary’s College
Career Accomplishments: Earned his seventh NCGA major title with a win at the 2011 NCGA Stroke Play…Won consecutive 2011 and 2010 NCGA Public Links, his sixth NCGA major title, also made it to the finals of the NCGA Amateur, losing to John Catlin 3 and 2… Won the 2011 NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship … Along with partner Rick Reinsberg, tied for second in the 2011 NCGA Four-Ball Championship … In 2008, won the Vacaville City Championship at Green Tree and the amateurgolf.com Monterey Peninsula Four-Ball at San Juan Oaks with partner James Hay … Won the 2007 NCGA Public Links…Advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2006 at Forest Highlands GC (Arizona)…Teamed with Rick Reinsberg to win the NCGA Four-Ball and won the Valley Amateur at San Joaquin CC in 2005. Also won the Antioch City in 2005. Captured the 2004 NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Poppy Hills, his first NCGA tournament victory … Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2003 CGA (State) Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach … Won the 2003 U.S. Two-Ball at Lake Merced with partner James Hay … Won the Tulare County Amateur in 2003 … Won the 2001 Vacaville City Championship … Was runner-up at the 2001 NCGA Amateur Championship, despite being the last seed to make match play … Also placed second at the Bay Regional … Competed in the 2001 US Mid-Amateur Championship … Was the 2001-2002 West Coast Conference Coach of the Year in men’s golf … In 2000, was champion of the West County Amateur … Reached the quarterfinals of the 2000 NCGA Amateur Championship … Has won the Oakland City Championship twice, in 2000 and 1999 … Competed in the 1999 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach … Was team captain of Saint Mary’s golf team during his senior season … First win was the 1999 Oakland City Championship.
William Moore
Hometown: Pacific Grove; Home Club: Old Del Monte
Born: 2-13-70
Career Accomplishments: In 2011, he and partner Casey Boyns tied for fourth at NCGA Four-Ball Championship … Captured NCGA Public Links in 2009 … In 2007, won the Apple City Amateur at Pajaro Valley and Spring Hills … Won the 2006 Monterey City Championship… Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links at Rush Creek GC in Minnesota … Won the 2002 Monterey City Amateur … Placed third in the 2002 Monterey County Four-Ball Championship at Pacific Grove GL with partner Tim Tipton … Captured the 2001 NCGA Public Links Championship … First NCGA win was the 1991 Sacramento Valley Championship … Was the 1987 California State Junior Champion … Is a four-time Sacramento Hall of Fame awardee (HS golf).
Rick Reinsberg
Hometown: Lafayette; Home Club: Moraga CC
Born: 3-13-72; College: UC Berkeley
Career Accomplishments: Took first and second place in 2011 and 2010 Alameda Commuters, respectively … In 2011, he and partner Scott Hardy tied for second in the NCGA Four-Ball Championship … Won the NCGA Stroke Play in 2009, his third NCGA major championship … In 2008, finished runner-up in the NCGA Amateur Stroke Play at Poppy Hills, lost the championship title in a playoff to Matthew Hollinsead … Won the 2006 Alameda Commuters. Teamed with Scott Hardy to win the NCGA Four Ball in 2005. Semi-finalist at the 2005 California State Amateur. Won the 2004 Contra Costa County at Boundary Oak GC by six shots … Captured the 2004 Alameda Commuters Championship by five shots, his second straight victory in the event … Earned 2003 NCGA Player of the Year honors with 1,806 points during the season … Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2003 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Wilmington (Del.) CC before losing to defending champion George Zahringer … Played for the California team at the USGA State Team Championship at Charles River CC in Massachussetts that finished tied for second … Won the NCGA Sacramento Valley Championship at Winchester CC, his first win in NCGA competition … was runner-up at the NCGA San Joaquin Valley Championship at Kings CC … Advanced to the round of 64 in the 2003 U.S. Amateur … Competed in the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields … Set the course record at his home club of Orinda CC with a 61 … Won the 2003 San Francisco City Championship, defeating Steven Strong in the final match, 5 & 4 … Captured the Alameda Commuters by four shots, becoming the first player since 1988 to win that tournament and the San Francisco City in the same year … Repeated in the San Francisco County, to pull off a sweep of winning that tournament, along with the Alameda Commuters and San Francisco City … Is thought to be the only player to win all three in the same season … In 2002, captured the San Francisco County Amateur, Antioch City and Hayward City Championships … Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 NCGA Amateur, losing to eventual champion Spencer Levin … Was the low qualifier for the 2002 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Green Valley CC … Advanced to match play at the 2002 U.S. Mid-Amateur, losing to Tim Jackson in the first round … Won the 2002 Antioch City and Contra Costa County … Was the low qualifier for the 2002 State Amateur at the Olympic Club … Finished in a tie for fourth at the Wine Country Cup … Tied for eighth at the 2002 Alameda Commuters Championship … Advanced to the round of 16 at the San Francisco City Championship … Placed third with partner Scott Hardy at the 2001 Antioch Two-Man … Competed as a professional from 1996 to 1999 … Reinstated as an amateur in November 2001 … Played on the 1997 Golden Bear Tour (Florida) … Competed locally on the Pepsi and California Tours … Was assistant professional at Green Valley CC and Moraga CC … Was runner-up at the Contra Costa Amateur Championship in 1995 and 1996 … Qualified for the 1995 U.S. Amateur (failed to make match play by two shots) … Reached the round of 16 at the 1995 State Amateur … Was a semi-finalist at the 1994 NCGA Amateur Championship … Was a member of the 1994 NCGA/NCPGA Cup Team … Won the Bay Regional in 1993 and 1994. Set the tournament record of 277 in 1994. In doing so, became the first person to break par in the history of the tournament … Owns the course record of 64 at Moraga CC … Played four years of varsity golf at UC Berkeley … Finished 12th at the 1995 NCAA West Regional, beating Tiger Woods by two shots … Helped lead team to sixth place finish at the 1995 NCAA Division I Final (the best finish ever for Cal) … Had his first hole-in-one while playing with Jim Furyk at the 1992 Pac-10 Championships.
Scott Travers
Hometown: Trabuco Canyon; Home Club: Santa Ana
Born: 5-17-1988; College: Santa Clara
Career Accomplishments: Named California State Amateur Champion and SCGA Amateur Champion in 2010 (first golfer since 1942 to win both in the same year, third all-time) … Also in 2010, was named Amateur Athlete of the Year by San Jose Sports Hall of Fame … Broke SCGA all-time scoring record at 2010 California State Amateur, record previously held by Tiger Woods … 2010 West Coast Conference Player of the Year … Finished 2009 season as WCC’s top-ranked player and tied for sixth at 2010 WCC Championship …
Taylor Travis
Hometown: Fremont; Home Club: Fremont Park Golf Club
Born: 10-29-90; College: UCLA, USF
Career Accomplishments: In 2011, led the USF team to the West Coast Conference title and took the individual WCC title as well … Won the Wine Country Cup in January 2010 at Stone Tree GC … In 2009, captured the NCGA Four-Ball Championship at Spyglass with partner Ryan Sloane becoming the first repeat winners in the more than 40-year history of the event … Won the Alameda Commuters Championship and finished second in the Antioch City and North Bay Championships … Placed fifth at the Sacramento City, ninth at the State Fair and tied for 11th at the Azalea Championship and made the final 16 in the PNGA Amateur … In 2008, tied for third at the Palo Alto City and tied for sixth at Alameda Commuters … Round of 64 at the U.S. Junior Amateur, final 32 at the California Amateur and a quarterfinalist at the San Francisco City Championship … In 2007, second-place finishes at the Monterey City, San Mateo City, Silicon Valley Amateur, Palo Alto City, Antioch City and final 16 at the San Francisco City … Qualifier for the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Amateur (medalist) … Captured titles at the Palo Alto City, Antioch City and California State Junior in 2006 … Placed second at the San Mateo City and advanced to the final 16 of the San Francisco City … In 2005, qualified for the U.S. Public Links.
Jeff Wilson
Hometown: Fairfield; Home Club: Green Valley CC
Born: 6-14-63; College: University of the Pacific; Profession: Sales Manager
Career Accomplishments: Medalist for the fifth time at a USGA national championship, this time at the 2010 U.S. Amateur, firing a 10-under 62 at the Home Course followed by a 74 at host venue Chambers Bay…. Advanced to the finals of the 2009 State Amateur, Qualified for the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, his fourth U.S. Open appearance (’82, ’90, ’00 and ’08), won the SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Toscana CC with a three-round total 10-under-par and finished runner-up with partner Todd Barsotti at the Monterey County Four-Ball at Pacific Grove … Advanced to the round of 16 of the California State Amateur in 2007 … Advanced to the round of 16 of the 2006 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Forest Highlands GC in Flagstaff…Finished runner-up with Todd Barsotti at the 2005 NCGA Four-Ball…Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2004 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Sea Island GC in Georgia … Also earned medalist honors for a record-tying third time. Teamed with Todd Barsotti to capture the 2004 Stanford Four-Ball … Won the 2003 NCGA Four-Ball Championship with Barsotti after the duo finished in the top 10 in each of six previous attempts … Also in 2003, tied for sixth at the Northeast Amateur and tied for 11th at the Azalea Amateur … Advanced to the semifinals of the 2002 and 2001 U.S. Mid-Amateur and was medalist in 2001 … Was medalist at the 2001 CGA (State) Amateur Championship with a 69-72 performance in stroke play qualifying … Had incredible success in USGA events in 2000 … Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2000 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship before losing to eventual champion Greg Puga … Tied for medalist honors in stroke play qualifying at both the U.S. Mid-Amateur and the U.S. Amateur (eliminated in the first round) … Was the lone amateur to make the cut at the 2000 U.S. Open, finishing 59th … Competed for the NCGA team at the 2000 Seaver Cup in Ojai … Finished the 2000 season as the 17th ranked amateur in the world, according to Golfweek.
Top Senior Players
Casey Boyns
Hometown: Pacific Grove; Home Club: Monterey Bay GC
Born: 12-11-55; College: Utah (1980); Profession: Pebble Beach Caddie
Career Accomplishments: In 2011, won the Santa Clara Senior Championship … Tied for first place in 2011 Silicon Valley Amateur Senior Championship … Finished third in Championship Flight of NCGA Public Links Championship in 2010 and 2011 … Qualified for U.S. Senior Open in 2010 … In 2009, was inducted to the California Golf Hall of Fame as one of California’s greatest amateur players … Runner-up in 2009 NCGA Match Play Championship … In 2008, won the Antioch Master/Senior Best-Ball with partner Rob Thompson at Lone Tree … Captured the 2007 Master Division and Amateur Stroke Play championships for his sixth and seventh different NCGA titles making 14 overall. Also was a semifinalist at the State Amateur. Led to an unprecedented fourth NCGA Player of the Year award…..Was low amateur at the 2004 Northern California at Bayonet GC … Tied for third at the 2004 Scratch Players Championship at Bayonet GC … Finished second behind Scott Hardy at the 2004 NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship … Finished second behind Gary Young at the 2004 NCGA Public Links Championship… Advanced to the semifinals of the 2004 State Amateur, losing to eventual champion Spencer Levin on the 20th hole … Won the 2004 Monterey County Two-Man at Pacific Grove GL with partner Kevin Kobalter … Finished third with partner Bob Berg at the 2004 NCGA Master Division Four-Ball Championship at Poppy Ridge GC … Won the 1999 Northern California Open at Diablo Grande GC … Is a three-time NCGA Player of the Year (1987, 1989 and 1996) … In 1996, won four major NCGA tournaments: the NCGA Amateur, Public Links, Four-Ball with partner Joey Ferrari and Sacramento Valley … Has won the NCGA Public Links four times (’81, ’83, ’87 and ’96), and twice won the NCGA Amateur (’87 and ’96), CGA (State) Amateur (’89 and ’93) Sacramento Valley (’90 and ’96), San Joaquin Valley (’82 and ’93) and Four-Ball (’94 and ’96) … Was runner-up in the 1997 NCGA Amateur for the second time, the other coming in 1983 … Has qualified for eight USGA events, including three Amateurs, two Mid-Ams, 2 Public Links and one Team Championship … Finished fifth at the WAC Championships in 1978 while at the University of Utah … Played at Monterey Peninsula College for two years and was conference champion in 1975.
Jeff Burda
Hometown: Modesto; Home Club: Del Rio CC
Born: 3-22-53; College: Notre Dame (1975); Profession: Banking
Career Accomplishments: In 2011, he took the NCGA Senior Four-Ball Championship with partner Jim Knoll … Won the NCGA Senior in 2010 at Spyglass Hill, his second NCGA Senior title. Also finished runner-up at the Senior Valley Championship and made a run to to the semifinals of the USGA Senior Amateur… Placed second and tied for second at the 2011 and 2010 Alameda Commuters Senior Championships, respectively … Took third State Senior title in a row with wins in 2008, 2009 and 2010 … Won the 2008 State Senior and captured the 2008 NCGA Senior in his first NCGA senior event, won the Roddy Ranch Senior Four-Ball with partner Jim Knoll and Sacramento County Senior at Ancil Hoffman on his way to earning Senior Player of the Year honors … In 2007, partnered with Jamie Looper to claim the NCGA Master Division Four-Ball at Poppy Ridge in a three-way play off for the title … Won the NCGA Master Division for the third time in 2005. Captured the 2004 Modesto City at Creekside and Dryden Park GCs … Made and eagle (on the seventh) and a double-eagle (on the 11th) in the final round of the 2004 NCGA Four-Ball, while teaming with son Patrick … Competed in the 2003 U.S. Senior Open, his eighth career USGA event, including the U.S. Mid-Am in 1981, 1999, 2002 and 2003 and the U.S. Amateur in 1996, 1997 and 1999 … Tied for second at the 2000 NCGA Master Division Championship … Qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 1999 but missed the cut for match play … Is a two-time winner of the NCGA Master Division Championship (1996-97) … 1997 wins also included the Alameda Commuters, the Modesto City and the U.S. Two-Man with partner Mark Nicholson (second year in a row) … Won the 1989 NCGA Four-Ball Championship with partner Ken Webb … First NCGA tournament win was the 1974 Public Links Championship … Is the only player to win an NCGA major in four different decades … Has won the Del Rio club championship seven times … runner-up finishes include the Sacramento County and Modesto City in 1996 and the Master Division in 1995 … Also was third at the Master Division in ’94 and fourth in ’93 … Qualified for the U.S. Amateur in ’96 and ’97, the U.S. Mid-Amateur in ’81 and the NCAA Championships in ’75 with Notre Dame … Advanced to the semifinals of the 1987 NCGA Amateur … Represented the NCGA at the ’97 Pacific Coast Amateur and played on the ’84, ’87 and ’97 Cup teams.
Jim Knoll
Hometown: Sunnyvale; Home Club: Rooster Run GC
Born: 8-11-52; College: San Jose State; Profession: Printing Salesman
Career Accomplishments: In 2011, Knoll won 11 championships region-wide including the NCGA Senior, Senior Four-Ball and Senior Valley championships on his way to the Senior Player of the Year award. Knoll set a record of 2,726 points in the process … Won back -to-back 2011 and 2010 Alameda Commuters Senior Championships … Won the 2011 Senior Silicon Valley Amateur Championship … Placed third at 2010 CGA Senior Amateur Championship … In 2008, finished second on the NCGA Senior Points List after placing in the top ten in 14 different events … Won the San Francisco City Senior Championship … Partnered with Jeff Burda to claim the Roddy Ranch Senior Four-Ball Championship … Captured the East County Senior Championship and Santa Cruz City Senior Championship … Posted a final-round 65 to win the NCGA Senior Valley Amateur at Winchester … Finished runner-up to Jeff Burda in both the California State Senior and NCGA Senior Amateur Championships … Medalist at US Senior Amateur Qualifying at Shady Oaks, TX … Finished runner-up in the Manteca City Senior Championship and Stockton City Senior Best-Ball … In 2007, qualified for USGA Senior Open (Whistling Straits, WI) and made the 36-hole cut … Qualified for the US Senior Amatuer at Flint Hills, KS … Finished runner-up in the 2005 NCGA Public Links … Won the San Mateo County Championship in 2003 and 2004 … Qualified for the US Mid Amateur in 2001 and 1985 … Winner of 1982 NCGA Public Links Championship … Regained amateur status 1981… Qualified for 1975 and 1977 US Open Championships … Turned Professional 1975 and successfully qualified twice for the PGA Tour (1976 and 1978) … 1975 NCAA All-American at San Jose State.
Mark Miller
Hometown: Antioch; Home Club: Roddy Ranch, Lone Tree
Born: 5-1-51 College: Diablo Community College; University of the Pacific Profession: Dentist
Career Accomplishments: In 2011, won Monterey Bay Senior Championship and Senior Wine Country Cup … Tied for first at the Monterey County Senior Four-Ball Championship in 2010, then won the event in 2011 … Earned 2009 Senior Player of the Year honors, his second such award, with a dramatic runner-up finish in the State Senior in the last day of the season…In 2008, captured the Alameda Commuters Senior by one stroke over Gary Vanier, finished runner-up at the Antioch Master/Senior Best-Ball at Lone Tree with partner Terry Foreman and partnered with Herb Jensen to finish runner-up at the Roddy Ranch Senior Four-Ball. Earned 2007 NCGA Senior Player of the Year honors after scoring 1,746 points (629 more than the second-place finisher) … In 2007, won the Monterey City Senior Amateur at Del Monte by six strokes … Teamed with partner Terry Foreman to win the Lone Tree Master-Senior Four-Ball at Lone Tree GC … Captured the Antioch City Senior Four-Ball at Lone Tree GC … Placed in the top ten at 26 different events in 2007 … Finished runner-up at the NCGA Senior Four-Ball Championship at Poppy Hills GC with partner Herb Jensen … Placed fourth at the NCGA Senior Championship at Hiddenbrooke GC … Finished tied for fourth place at the California State Senior Amateur Championship at Poppy Hills GC … In 2006, partnered with Michael Vera to capture the Roddy Ranch Four-Ball … Partnered with Robert Olds to finish runner-up at the Buick Senior Four-Ball at Franklin Canyon … Captured the Roddy Ranch Senior Championship by five strokes at Roddy Ranch GC … Stole first-place in a play off at the Antioch City Senior Four-Ball with partner Gary Vanier at Lone Tree GC … Finished runner-up with partner John Enright at the Marin County Senior Four-Ball at San Geronimo GC.
Rob Thompson
Hometown: Merced; Home Club: Merced GCC
Born: 9-11-46; College: Fresno State (1970); Profession: Teacher
Career Accomplishments: Tied for second in 2010 Wine Country Cup Senior Championship … 2010 NCGA Senior Match Play Semifinalist … In 2008, captured the NCGA Senior Amateur Match Play at Spyglass Hill, beating Jeff Burda in the final … NCGA Senior Four-Ball Champion with Bob Berg in 2008, 2007 and 2005 … 2008 Antioch Senior Best-Ball Champion with partner Casey Boynes … Won 2007 Manteca City Senior at Manteca Park … In 2006, won the Stockton City Senior Four-Ball with Bob Rowland, the Diablo Valley Senior at Shadow Lakes and the Sacramento City Senior at Big Maloney … NCGA Senior Player of the Year – 2005….Won the 2005 NCGA Senior and qualified for the U.S. Senior Open. Captured the 2004 CGA (State) Senior Amateur at Poppy Hills, beating Mike Butler and Jim McMurtrey by three shots … Captured the 2004 Fresno County Senior at Fig Garden GC and the Merced County Senior at Merced CC … Earned runner-up honors at the State Fair Senior … Was second at the U.S. Senior Four-Ball with partner Carl Selkirk … Won the 2003 Senior Challenge at Bayonet/Black Horse with partner Bob Olds … Won the 2004 Fresno City Senior by six shots at Riverside GC … Won the 2002 and 2003 Roseville City Senior Championship … Was champion of the 2002 Merced City Championship … Was the 2001 Redwood Empire Senior Champion … In 2000, won both the Fresno Senior City and Manteca Senior City Championships … Also captured the 2000 Contra Costa Senior Championship … Is a three-time champion of the Merced County Senior Championship … Is a former champion of the Palo Alto City and Merced City Championships … Has also won the Livermore City Championship … Was medalist at the 1976 San Francisco City Championship.
Gary Vanier
Hometown: Pleasant Hill; Home Club: The Olympic Club
Born: 10-1-50; College: Stanford Profession: Stockbroker
Career Accomplishments: In 2010, qualified for Won NCGA Senior in 2009 at Spyglass Hill…In 2008, finished runner-up in the NCGA Senior Stroke Play at Saddle Creek and runner-up in the Alameda Commuters Senior … Won the CGA State Senior in 2007 becoming the first player to win both the CGA State Amateur and State Senior, also won NCGA Senior Valley Amatur for the second year in a row…Winning NCGA Senior Player of the Year honors on the strength of the Valley Senior Championship, runner-up finishes at the 2006 NCGA Senior and State Senior and a run to the round of 16 at the U.S. Senior Amateur kicked off Vanier’s first year of competition as a senior….Still maintains an active schedule of regular amateur competition as evidenced by his tie for 4th place in the NCGA Amateur Stroke Play. Won the 1998 Master Division Championship, 1997 NCGA Amateur and the 1982 State Amateur…Was runner-up at two other State Amateurs (1990, 1999)…. Is a six-time winner of the San Francisco City Championship (1971, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1992 and 1994)…..Won the Alameda Commuters three years in a row (1988-1990)…Turned professional in 1972…played on the European Tour and held a PGA Tour card for two years (1977-1978)…..Regained amateur status in 1981…..Lettered three years at Stanford where he roomed with Tom Watson……Two-time All-American (1970, 1972)…..Won the U.S. Collegiate at Stanford in 1971.
