Pairings | Results
Nov. 12, 2025
Bob Niger's magical 2025 season isn't over just yet.
On Wednesday, the 65-year-old Niger, who recently sewed up 2024-25 NCGA Super Senior Player of the Year honors, captured his first California Golf Association title, winning the 34th annual California Senior Amateur Championship at The Valley Club at Montecito. Niger defeated Bobby Schaeffer on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff after the two finished regulation tied at 11-under 205.
Coming into the event, Niger had been on a roll. Since joining the NCGA ranks following being reinstated as an amateur, Niger had rung up seven wins and five runners-ups. His latest victory had been at the NCGA Super Senior Championship at Bayonet GC in Seaside.
During regulation, Niger carded a final round 68. Schaeffer carded a 67. Third place went to former NCGA champion Mike Rowley at 208 after a final round 67.
"It was a long week," Niger said. "It was a little stressful today but it was a great week and it was a really nice event."
The title was decided on the par-5 15th hole. Niger and Schaffer both hit beautiful drives.
Niger was around 251 yards out for his second shot. He pulled out his 3-wood for his second shot and was able to get it on in two as the ball rolled right onto the middle of the green.
Schaeffer missed the green, which opened the door for the Sacramento native. In regulation, Niger had made eagle on the same hole, something that he had not forgotten.
"I almost had the same putt that I did in regulation," Niger said. "I was further away in the playoff but I was able to make this one."
Niger has won six career NCGA wins & two career NCGA senior titles. However, he had never won a California Amateur event until Wednesday arrived.
As a bonus, Niger will have an exemption into the next 10 California Senior Amateurs and a spot in 2026 U.S. Senior Open Final Qualifying.
It truly has been a magical year for Niger.
"It has been a great year and I have had a great time," Niger said. "This was definitely the cherry on top and to win a State Am, I am really pleased to have done that."
Nov. 11, 2025
It is setting up to be a thrilling finish at The Valley Club at Montecito.
Reigning NCGA Super Senior Player of the Year Bob Niger shot a sizzling 6-under 66 to take a one shot lead in the 34th California Senior Amateur Championship in Santa Barbara.
Niger who won the NCGA Senior Valley Amateur and Super Senior titles is at 7 under par for the championship. The Sacramento native started his second round three shots back of 18-hole leader Dan Sullivan.
Niger had seven birdies on the scorecard with his lone bogey on the par-3 8th hole.
A pair of Poppy Hills Club members who are one shot back are trying to chase down Niger. Santa Barbara native Bobby Schaeffer shot a 6-under 66 after a even par 72 in his first round.
Schaeffer who does not have a far commute to the course had a clean scorecard with six birdies on his round.
Defending champion Trae Cassell also had a solid second round with a 4-under 68 as he also sits at 6 under par.
Cassell who is a real estate agent in La Quinta was leading for most of the day. He had seven birdies on the round including four straight birdies on holes 6 through 9.
However, Cassell had three straight bogeys to close out his day. Cassell is looking to become the sixth player to win multiple Cal Am Senior titles. He is also looking to become the first player to win back-to-back titles since NCGA Hall of Famer Randy Haag did it in 2021-22.
Sullivan who was at 4-under par to start his day opened his round with an eagle on the par-5 1st hole. But he would slip down the leaderboard with a 2-over 74.
Sullivan who has won multiple SCGA Championships currently sits in a tie for eighth place at 2 under par.
Also in contention is reigning NCGA Senior Player of the Year Steve Sear. The Washoe Valley, Nev. native posted a 5-under 67 to sit in a tie for fifth place at 4 under par.
The cutline to advance to Wednesday's final round ended at 5-over par 149.
The SCGA made it a three-peat in the North/South Challenge. They finished at 25-under par 206 while Team NCGA finished at 215. The North/South Cup competition, held over the first two days of the championship, sees the NCGA and SCGA taking on each other using the lowest three scores from each association.
Final Round tee times will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Nov. 10, 2025
Dan Sullivan has won just about every SCGA title at some point, including last year's SCGA Senior Amateur Match Play Championship.
But the Pasadena resident has yet to win a California Senior Amateur crown. After Monday, he's one step closer to remedying that.
Sullivan grabbed the lead in this year's championship at The Valley Club at Montecito, carding a solid 4-under 68 that included four birdies and 14 pars.
Yet there's still two rounds to go. David Schnider of Carlsbad and John Adams of San Clemente are just a shot back after matching rounds of 69.
Defending champion Trae Cassell. who won last year's event at Monterey Peninsula CC, is meanwhile just two shots back after an opening 70.
Following Tuesday's second round, a cut will be made with the low 30 and ties advancing to Wednesday's final round.
In the North-South Challenge, the SCGA holds a dominating 206-215 lead.