Local golf notebook: Del Monte welcomes strong field for Monterey Open next week
Starting Monday, the annual Monterey Open, a three-day stroke play championship featuring pros and amateurs, returns to historic Del Monte Golf Course.
As usual, a solid 132-man field is on tap, too.
Among those slated to tee off include defending Monterey City Amateur champ Dino Giacomazzi, Frys.com Open qualifier Chris Marin, 2010 U.S. Open qualifier Erick Justesen, former PGA Tour member Boyd Summerhays, U.S. Open sectional qualifier Jason Owen, 2009 U.S. PGA Cup team member Eric Lippert, and defending champion and Frys.com Open qualifying medalist John Ellis.
Others include: Cypress Point Club head pro Casey Reamer, Tehama GC assistant Eric Goettsch, former Red Sox second baseman Mark Bellhorn and former Edmonton Oilers goalie great Grant Fuhr.
"The tournament keeps getting stronger every year," Del Monte head pro Neil Allen said. "It's becoming a regular stop for the guys who are preparing for the next level."
Unlike other events held at Del Monte, the Monterey Open is also a time when the course really gets to flex its muscles that means tough pin placements on fast and deceiving greens.
"It's as tough as the course plays all year," Allen said. "Out of all of our events, this is the toughest set up. The guys say it's a good warm-up before Q-School."
One of the area's oldest golf championships, the Open dates back to 1926 when it was won by Harry 'Lighthorse' Cooper.
As part of its history, the championship, which is sponsored by the Joseph and Ida Liskin Foundation, pays tribute to former Monterey resident Bud Brownell. Brownell, a golf star at Stanford, was runner-up in the 1942 California State Amateur. He'd soon after be killed while serving in the Pacific in World War II.
Play each day begins at 7:30 a.m. Following Tuesday's second round, a cut will be made with the low 40 and ties advancing to Wednesday's 18 hole finale.
Along with competing for an estimated purse of $32,500, the top finishing professional gains an automatic exemption into next month's Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational.
Spectators are welcome and admission is free.
NCPGA Legacy
Northern California golf has lost a legendary figure.
Lyle O. Wehrman, the 1964 PGA Professional of the Year and one of the most influential members of the Northern California PGA, died in late September at the age of 94. A member of the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame, Wehrman served as President of the NCPGA from 1962-1964 and was national PGA vice president from 1968-1970.
"What we'll surely remember and admire about Lyle was his ability to lead by example, his dedication and volunteer spirit to the Section and many other worthy causes," said NCPGA President Monte Koch.
Wehrman's golf career started as a young caddie at Lake Chabot GC in Oakland. Following service in World War II, where he earned a Bronze Star, Wehrman returned to Oakland before accepting the head pro position at Merced G&CC.
During his time with the NCPGA (1970's-1990's), one of his favorite assignments was serving as the starter for The Crosby (AT&T Pro-Am).
Wehrman is a past recipient of the Horton Smith Award for contributions to PGA education, and was the inaugural recipient of the NCPGA Lyle O. Wehrman Award, which honors exceptional volunteerism. In 2006, the Northern California Golf Association honored him with a Distinguished Service Award. He will be missed.
Otter Shines
CSUMB senior John Jackson shot a final-round 69 to capture the individual title at Chico State's InterWest Wildcat Invitational on Tuesday afternoon.
Jackson was in a three-way tie with Cal State San Bernardino's Kenny Pigman and Matt Epstein of Saint Martin's with a 2-under-par 214 after the 54-hole tournament concluded. Jackson was awarded first using USGA tiebreaker procedures due to his 2-under par effort on the final six holes.
As a team, the Otters finished in a tie for fifth with Saint Martin's after a final round of 1-over-par 289. Western Washington took the team title with a three-day total of 16-over-par 880.
Tourney Time
The Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation will hold its first The Inaugural Heroes Open on Friday, Nov. 12 at Black Horse GC to raise funds for construction of a veterans cemetery on the former Fort Ord military base.
"Our dream is to establish a resting place for our area's sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, neighbors and friends, who have served their country," said Foundation President Jan Parks.
A $150 entry fee includes green fees, cart, range balls, BBQ dinner, tee prizes, raffle and a live auction. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m., followed by a putting clinic put on by local instructor Ben Alexander at 10 a.m. The four-player scramble tees off at 11 a.m. For more info, please email info@ccvcf.org or call the Veterans Foundation office at 384-9400.
NCGA News
The Northern California Golf Association has launched its annual Fall Renewal Period, encouraging players to renew for 2011. Members can also transfer to another club through the end of the year at no charge.
Among the amenities added for 2011 are discounts to Sharks, Warriors and Kings games, free or discounted club-fitting, e-mail special to courses throughout NorCal and more courses to its Member Advantage program (now numbering 90).
The NCGA has also launched a Fill Your Foursome promotion, which rewards current members who recruit three new members with a free foursome at Poppy Hills or Poppy Ridge. For more info, please visit www.ncga.org or call 625-4653.
AT&T Pro-Am
Following his win at Pebble Beach in June, Graeme McDowell said he was interested in joining the PGA Tour in 2011. Recently, the U.S. Open winner confirmed that he will.
As for McDowell returning to Pebble Beach in February to take on two-time defending AT&T Pro-Am champ and third-round U.S. Open leader Dustin Johnson, however, don't get your hopes up. While McDowell will join the PGA Tour, he also said he won't "turn his back" on the European Tour. In 2011, the Dubai Desert Classic is the exact same week (Feb. 7-13) as the AT&T Pro-Am.
Speaking of the AT&T Pro-Am, starting Monday Oct. 25 a special ticket package for the 2001 tournament will go on sale at 50 Costco locations throughout Northern California.
The package consists of two practice round tickets and two one-day passes to the Fairway Club, which is adjacent to the fairway on No.3 and offers a sports bar environment, televisions and seating with a full food menu and premium bar service. Valued at $300, the price for Costco members will be $169.99.
Herald correspondent Jerry Stewart can be reached at jerry_stewart@sbcglobal.net or at 384-7916.
Local aces
? Brian Benton on the 147-yard 12th hole at Del Monte Golf
Course, using a 7-wood.
? Alicia Melners on the 145-yard fourth hole at Del Monte
Golf Course, using a 3-wood.
