October 11, 2022
At the time a stroke behind co-leaders Joey Ferrari and Jim Knoll, Mike Staskus arrived at the par-5 17th hole at Los Altos Country Club knowing he needed to make a birdie.
He'd push his drive to the right but was able to land his second shot pin-high, leaving him a 60-foot chip for eagle. That missed, but his ball stopped just 2 feet of the flagstick, leading to the birdie he so desperately needed.
It would turn out to be a difference maker, as Staskus went on to par the closing 18th for a two-shot win over Ferrari and Knoll. The victory marked the first individual NCGA title for Staskus. The 65-year-old Olympic Club member in 2014 won the NCGA Senior Four-Ball title playing with Frank Pieper.
"It feels fantastic to finally win an NCGA tournament individually. It's been a long time coming," said Staskus, who would shoot a final round 1-over 72 to finish with a two-day total of even-par 142. "I've been playing some great golf and you need to get some breaks to win a championship like this, and today I got a few."
While Staskus came up clutch on both 17 and 18, both Ferrari and Knoll slipped. Ferrari, who was in search of his fifth career NCGA title, bogeyed both holes. Knoll, a record-five NCGA Senior Player of the Year and the 2022 Super Senior Player of the Year, meanwhile doubled the 18th when his drive ended up behind a tree. Ferrari and Knoll both finished at 144 after final rounds of 76 and 74, respectively.
"Joey and Jim are both such great players. I just tried to hit one shot at a time and tried to get to the final hole," Staskus said.
Ferrari, the NCGA Player of the Year in 1992, had entered the final round holding a two-shot edge over Knoll and Staskus after a first-round 68.
"The chip on 17 it hit and just checked perfectly," Staskus said. "It could've easily been a six instead of a birdie. On 18 I was going to hit 3-wood off the tee but then decided to go for the win and hit driver. I told myself to trust my swing, and I ended up making four."
In the Legends division (ages 75-plus), the title went to James Saivar with a two-day score of 147 (71-76).
October 10, 2022
Joey Ferrari is a day away from picking up another NCGA title.
Ferrari, winner of the 2014 NCGA Senior Valley Amateur, grabbed the lead at this week's Super Senior Championship at Los Altos CC after posting a 3-under 68. The NCGA Player of the Year in 1992, Ferrari posted six birdies to go against three bogeys.
In a tie for second at 70, just two behind te leader, are Jim Knoll and Mike Staskus. Knoll recently wrapped up 2021-22 NCGA Super Senior Player of the Year honors. Staskus won the 2014 NCGA Senior Four-Ball title playing with partner Frank Pieper.
James Saivar and Chuck Richesin are T-4 at 71. Defending champion Rich Gleghorn is T-16 after an opening 65.
The Super Senior Championship was created to give golfers 65 and older their own championship. The first championship was held in 2010 with Gene Ackerman winning the inaugural event, firing a 36-hole score of 147 at Merced GCC. The championship is a 400-point event for the Senior Player of the Year race. Dennis Younglove set the single round championship record in 2014, shooting a 5-under 67 at Valley Hi CC. 2016 winner Chuck Richesin set the 36-hole scoring record of 139. There is also a Legends champion for players 75-plus.