Pairings | Results
Sept. 16, 2025
It was a long time coming for 32-year-old Dublin resident Ian Fisher.
Fisher made par on the third hole (par-4 5th) of a sudden-death playoff on Tuesday to hold off Juan Gonzales and win what became a drama-filled 60th NCGA Public Links Championship at Poppy Hills.
For Fisher, who never played collegiately, it was his first victory since his junior golf days, a span of over 15 years.
"It feels really good. It was tough, I didn't have my "A' game. I just battled," said Fisher, who finished regulation tied with Gonzales at a total of even-par 142. "It's validating to finally get a win."
It certainly wasn't easy. For most of the day, the focus was on Nick Randazzo and his quest for NCGA victory No.13.
Randazzo appeared to be in control, but on the par-3 15th, Randazzo made bogey. A hole later on the par-4 16th, Randazzo made double-bogey after, among other miscues, getting stuck in the fairway bunker.
At the same time that Randazzo began leaking oil, Fisher made a birdie on No.15 to leapfrog into the lead. Ahead, meanwhile, was Gonzales. The 43-year-old Gonzales quietly had the round of the day, posting a 4-under 67 that set him up as the leader in the clubhouse at a total of even-par.
On the pivotal 18th hole, Randazzo, needing an eagle to tie Gonzales, got on the green in two but missed his 18-foot eagle attempt. Fisher, on the other hand, just needed a birdie to catch Gonzales. Fisher also got on in two--reaching the green from the fairway bunker with a 6-iron. His shot landed 12 feet from the pin. While his eagle putt missed, he'd tap in for a birdie to tie Gonzales.
"I knew I needed a birdie," Fisher said. "I had around 195 yards. I knew that I had a chance when it got on."
In the playoff, Gonzales and Fisher both made sand saves for par on the first hole (No.3). On the ensuing 4th hole, Gonzales had a shot to win it outright but missed a 5-footer for birdie.
On the 21st hole, Gonzales, perhaps still irritated with his missed putt, pulled his drive left into the scrub. He'd have to punch out, eventually reaching the green on his third shot. He'd miss his part putt.
Fisher, meanwhile, got on the green in regulation and calmly two-putted for par to seal the victory.
"I love the NCGA. they run great tournaments. So it's great to get a win," Fisher said.
Big Sur Flight
Monterey's Logan Norton claimed the title, carding a final round 3-under 68 to come in with a two-day total of 3-under 139.
Finishing tied for second place 5-over 146 were Art Johnson and Dong Kim after matching final rounds of 71. Kim was awarded second place following a card-off.
Golden Gate Flight
Mark Knopfler of the band Dire Straits would call him the Sultan of Swing.
Sultan Aziz of San Ramon won the title, posting a final round 3-over 74 to finish at 4-over 146. It was his first NCGA title.
Second place went to Jeff Wong at 148 after a final round 75. Brad McCullough claimed third place at 149 following a final round 72.
Yosemite Flight
Granite Bay's Jim Sroka won the title, carding a final round 1-under 70 to come in at 5-under 137.
Second place went to Dev Rahal at 143 following a final round 72. Jeff Cho placed third at 148 following a 75.
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Sept. 15, 2025
The chase is on for Monterey resident Nick Randazzo.
Randazzo, a 43-year-old caddie at Cypress Point Club, grabbed the first round lead on Monday at this week's NCGA Public Links Championship at Poppy Hills with a 2-under 69 that was capped with a birdie on his closing hole.
So what is Randazzo chasing? NCGA history.
With a victory in Tuesday's final round, Randazzo would earn his 13th career NCGA title, putting him just three wins behind all-time co-leaders and NCGA Hall of Famers Casey Boyns and Randy Haag, who both won 16 titles.
A win for Randazzo would also mark his fifth in the NCGA Public Links, which would break a tie with Boyns for the most all-time wins in the event.
There still, however, is more golf to be played. And Randazzo has his pursuers.
Sitting at 70, just a a stroke behind Randazzo, are Adam Croxton and Ian Fisher. Croxton was for most of the day the leader alone at 1-under. Fisher had a wilder day, carding an eagle (par-5 9th), three birdies and four bogeys.
Ryan Nix is just two off the lead after a 71.
In the Net Championship, one of the more interesting pairings was the father-son pairing of Craig Grant Bevan. In a stroke of good luck, the two happened to be paired together.
Big Sur Flight
Matt Howard grabbed the first round lead, carding a 2-under 69 that featured five birdies and three bogeys.
Logan Norton and Tom Holden are tied for second at 71.
Golden Gate Flight
Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits would tell you he is the Sultan of Swing.
Sultan Aziz of San Ramon took the first round lead, carding a 1-over 72 with three birdies and two bogeys.
Jeff Wong is alone in second place at 74.
Yosemite Flight
Jim Sroka is the first round leader after a stellar 6-under 65 that featured a net ace (No.17), eight birdies and four bogeys.
Dev Rahal and John McManus are tied for second at even-par 71.
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