September 5, 2024
Nick Randazzo's pursuit of Casey Boyns and Randy Haag for the all-time NCGA wins record is back in full swing.
Randazzo, a 42-year-old caddie at Cypress Point Club, notched his 12th NCGA title on Thursday, capturing the annual Public Links Championship at Poppy Hills after draining a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to knock off good friend Matt Cohn by a stroke.
The win was significant for two reasons--Randazzo's 12 wins are now just four shy of the NCGA record of 16 co-held by Boyns and Haag. It was also his fourth Public Links title, which tied Boyns for the most in that event's history.
"It feels amazing," said Randazzo, who finished the two-day event at 5-under 137 after a final round 66. "It's been a little while since I've been in the winner's circle like this. It keeps getting harder and harder to win."
The last time Randazzo had tasted an NCGA victory was at the 2023 Four-Ball Championship, which he won playing with Cohn. Just moments before Randazzo sank his winning putt, Cohn, playing in the group ahead, had entered the clubhouse with the lead at 4-under par after his own 66.
Coincidentally, Cohn, who recently founded Clarity Golf Mentoring, which aims to help players--both juniors and adults--become high-level tournament players, was also chasing a fourth NCGA Public Links title.
"I looked at the scoreboard on my phone on the 17th hole and saw that it was just Nick and myself," said the 43-year-old Cohn. "Losing stings when there is some minor history on the line."
Cohn early on was the guy to chase. He'd come out on fire, posting a bogey-free, five-birdie 31 on the front nine. A stumbling block would be a double-bogey on No.12, but he did bounce back to play his final six holes at 1-under par.
Randazzo put himself in position with a front nine 33. After the turn, he'd add a birdie on No.13 but later slipped with a bogey on 16 before his heroics on 18.
"Honestly I didn't know I needed to make it to win. I looked at the scores when I walked up the fairway after hitting my second shot. I saw that Matt was at 3-under, and I was at 3-under at the time," Randazzo said. "When I stood over the putt, I convinced myself that I wanted to make it for a good finish regardless. Turns out I needed it. I'm so happy it went in."
Both Randazzo and Cohn had entered the final round three and four strokes back, respectively, of first-round leader Mike Perchak. Perchak went from an opening 68 to a 73.
Third place went to Ryan Sloane at 140 after his second straight 70.
For Randazzo, the victory was also sweet for another reason. It was his first NCGA victory as an individual since the passing of his maternal grandfather, Vincent Randazzo, in 2022. In 2023, a then-Nick Moore changed his last name to Randazzo to honor his grandfather.
"Every win I get is dedicated to him," Randazzo said. "Until I die, all of my wins are dedicated to him. These golfers are so good out here who we're playing with. I've got goosebumps. Feels like all the hard work is paying off. Thank you to the NCGA for these events because it feels amazing when you win."
Tim Hobbs carded a final round even-par 71 to come in at 141 and defeat runner-up Ron Aivazian by a stroke. Aivazian finished at 140 after a final round 71. Third place went to Joe Chen at 143.
San Francisco resident Charles Bumanglag carded a final round 6-under 65 to come in at 143, defeating the field by five shots.
Todd Carter and Jeremy Anthony tied for second at 148 after final rounds of 75 and 73, respectively.
Bill Villareal of Carmichael posted a final round 73 to come in at 3-under 139 and win by three shots. Charlie Domalaog and Kevin Cheng finished tied for second at 142 after final rounds of 69 and 68, respectively.
September 4, 2024
Back in June, Alamo resident Mike Perchak became the NCGA's latest 'Mr. Valley Amateur' when he earned his second straight Valley Amateur Championship title.
Now, the 34-year-old is looking to add another crown.
On Wednesday, Perchak grabbed the lead at this week's NCGA Public Links Championship, posting a first-round 3-under 68 in at times the fog at Poppy Hills.
Following a bogey-free front-nine 34 that featured back-to-back birdies on holes Nos. 7 and 8, Perchak jump-started his back-nine by opening with an eagle 3 on the par-5 9th to get to a total of 4-under. A bogey later on the 17th would be his only hiccup of the day.
Three players--Jeremy Gearhart, Roshan Chandra and Ryan Sloane--are all tied for second at 1-under 70. Gearhart won last year's event with a two-day total of 1-over 143. Chandra is still a junior at Saint Francis High in Mountain View.
At 71, just three shots off the pace, are Nick Randazzo and Garett Wagner. Randazzo, who has won the event three times, is chasing his 12th career NCGA win. Wagner was the NCGA Player of the Year in 2022.
Thursday's second round will also be held at Poppy Hills.
Joe Chen took the lead, carding a 2-under 69. Two players--Charlie Parker and Tim Hobbs--are tied for second at 70.
Ed Chacon is the leader after round one thanks to an opening 68. David Nelson and Craig McIntosh are tied for second at 72.
Bill Villareal is the leader after an opening round of 66. Jeff Wong of Burlingame is alone in second at 68.