By Paul Doherty Sports Editor Santa Rosa – On a tricky course
amongst a strong field of golfers, three local golf professionals
competed in the 2007 Northern California PGA Professional
Championship (NCPGAC) at the Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa, July
23-24.
By Paul Doherty Sports Editor
Santa Rosa – On a tricky course amongst a strong field of golfers, three local golf professionals competed in the 2007 Northern California PGA Professional Championship (NCPGAC) at the Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa, July 23-24.
Representing the Coyote Creek Golf Club, Rich Bin, Don Leone and Shawn McEntee drove, chipped and putted their way through two days of golf along side the top professionals in Northern California.
After the first round, Rich Bin, head golf professional at the Coyote Creek Golf Club tied for 19th place with hopes of improving his score and advancing in the second round.
The San Jose man has been a professional golfer for 16 years, and has been the head professional at Coyote Creek since February.
In 2000 Bin won the NCPGAC at Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills, Calif., but this was his first experience at Mayacama.
“Overall I was happy a couple holes … I wish I could do back and re-do a few holes, but otherwise it was not bad,” Bin said of his performance. “It’s actually very encouraging because we don’t get to play in a lot of events like this.”
Competing in 12 events a year, the NCPGAC is the biggest event in the section.
“One of the best things about competing in an event like this is seeing all the other guys out there who work five days a week,” Bin said.
In the second round Bin finished the event tied for 16th place at 8-over-par 152, missing the cut to qualify for the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship by three strokes.
The other Coyote Creek professional in the hunt during the second round was Shawn McEntee of Los Gatos.
McEntee turned pro in 1980, and has a been a professional at Coyote Creek for two years.
Before that he was a professional at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz.
McEntee finished the NCPGAC tied for 24th place overall with six other golfers at 10-over-par 154.
“Well it was obviously disappointing because my expectations were higher than that going into the event,” McEntee said. “I was happier with the way I played in the second round but I had a few hiccups and there were three or four key driving holes where you had to hit off the tee the right way, but I didn’t, and that led to my scores over par.”
McEntee played well in the second round but wishes he could re-do a few of his tee shots.
“I was definitely happy with the way I struck the ball and sank putts, but I was unhappy with a few of the tee shots,” he said. “If I could hit a few of my tee shots over I would be contending for the championship.”
It was the first opportunity to golf at Mayacama for both Bin and McEntee, and both were impressed with the course.
“I think you have to have a fully rounded game to play there,” McEntee said. “You have to drive the ball well, chip and put well, and you have to have a lot of patience to play there.”
Tim Huber of Madera, Calif., winner of the NCPGAC will lead seven Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 41st PGA Professional National Championship, June 19-22, 2008, at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga.
Huber shot a winning 1-under-par 143 to capture the NCPGAC title. Â
“It’s an honor to win this prestigious event, and be included with other past champions such as PGA Tour players Tony Lema, Bruce Sommerhays, Dick Lotz, Bob Wynn, and Mick Soli,” Huber said in a press release.
Brad Martin of Redwood City, and Rick Leibovich of Salinas, tied for second place, finishing at 1–over-par 145.
The four other competitors who qualified for the Professional National Championship in Georgia are Dana Banke of Danville, Eric Lippert of Monterey, Jason Schmuhl of Windsor, and Kris Moe of Glen Ellen.
“Mayacama Golf Club proved to be a fair and challenging test of golf for this event which determines both our NCPGA Stroke Play Champion and our qualifiers for the PGA Professional National Championship,” said Nancy Maul, director of operations for the Northern California PGA, in a prepared statement.
