Pairings/Results
June 4, 2024
Alamo resident Mike Perchak has become the latest 'Mr. Valley Amateur.'
Perchak followed up a sizzling opening round 6-under 66 at Winchester CC with a final round 73 to win by five shots over runner-up Jerry Ledzinski.
In 2023, Perchak won the Valley Am title thanks in part to an all-time NCGA record 18-hole score of 12-under 61 at Dragonfly GC. The 33-year-old property manager becomes the fourth player to go back-to-back at the event, joining Steven Chung (2009-09), Nick Randazzo (2015-16) and Jason Anthony (2020-21).
"It's an honor to go back-to-back. I am so proud of it," Perchak said. "I am absolutely thrilled."
Back in early May, Perchak and partner Mikey Burkland came up just short at the NCGA Four-Ball Championship, finishing as runner-up. Heading into the Valley Am, Perchak was coming off a ninth place finish at the annual Memorial Tournament at Ancil Hoffman.
At Winchester, he missed only one green in regulation over his 36 holes. He'd also only three-putt twice.
"I was just hitting fairways and greens. And I kept putting it in the right spot on the greens," Perchak said.
Heading into the event, Perchak had only played Winchester once in a practice round. He'd temporarily be threatened by Lequan Wang and Ledzinski in the final round, but made a clutch birdie--hitting his wedge tee shot on the par-3 7th hole to 4 feet--to regain a cushion.
"That birdie on No.7 was huge. Any time you play in an NCGA event, you definitely get up for it," Perchak said.
Ledzinski finished at 144 following a final round 73. Nick Randazzo finished in third place at 148 following a card-off over Matt Cohn and Andrew Warren.
Senior Valley Amateur
Brentwood resident Chris Miller stayed in a groove and picked up his first NCGA title.
Miller, 64, wrapped up a wire-to-wire win, carding a final round 1-over 73 to come in at 143 and defeat runner-up Bill Bunce by five strokes. Just a week earlier, Miller won the Santa Clara County Senior.
"It's a really good win for me," said Miller, who still works in medical surgical sales. "My ball striking with my irons has vastly improved."
Miller also had a hot putter to go with his strong iron play. He never three-putted once over his 36 holes.
"I hit the ball to the right spot on the greens, and that made scoring easier," Miller said.
Bunce finished at 148 after a final round low 70. Third place went to Andy Gabelman at 149.
June 3, 2024
Mike Perchak is off and running again at the NCGA Valley Amateur Championship.
On Monday, Perchak opened this year's Valley Am with a stellar 6-under 66 at Winchester CC in Auburn to grab a five-shot lead over the field.
At last year's championship at Dragonfly GC in Madera, Perchak posted an all-time NCGA record low 18-hole score of 12-under 61 on his way to victory.
Coming off a runner-up finish at the NCGA Four-Ball Championship, Perchak carded six birdies with zero bogeys.
Alone in second place is Monterey Peninsula CC member Jerry Ledzinski at 71. Tied for third at 74 are Matt Cohn and Lequan Wang. Cohn is a six-time NCGA champion but is looking for his first Valley Am title.
Senior Valley Amateur
Chris Miller is a day away from capturing his first NCGA title.
Miller, winner of the 2022 San Francisco City Senior, opened with a 2-under 70 to grab a three-shot lead. Miller was the lone player to post a score under par.
Craig Miyamoto and Thomas Ansbro are tied for second place at 73.
Mark Morgan, a three-time winner of the event, is alone in fourth place at 74.