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Sept. 24, 2025
Montreaux Golf and Country Club memberSteve Sear completed what could be called the NCGA Senior Trifecta.
Sear, who lives in Washoe Valley, Nev., carded a final round 1-under 70 Tuesday at a steamy Poppy Hills to win the annual NCGA Senior Championship by three shots over runner-up Bob Niger.
Earlier this spring, Sear won the NCGA Senior Four-Ball title playing with partner and longtime friend Randy Haag. In August, Sear won the NCGA Senior Amateur Match Play title at Spyglass Hill.
For Sear, the NCGA Senior Championship victory was also sweet redemption. At last year's championship, Sear finished runner-up to Haag by two shots after Haag finished the event with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.
"This is great," said Sear, who finished the event with a 54-hole total of 6-under 207. "I was a little disappointed with how things ended last year. It was nice to come back and finish it this year."
Sear made his biggest move in the second round, when he carded a 4-under 67 despite a balky putter that put him in the lead. In the first round, he had struggled at times with his irons on his way to a 70.
"First day, I putted exceptionally well. When I then started hitting the ball better, it's just golf," Sear said. "I missed a lot of putts second round and still shot 67."
In the final round, Sear shot a front-nine 32 with four birdies to build at one point a commanding six-shot lead. With warm, almost tropical conditions, Sear on the back-nine slipped a bit with four bogeys. By then, however, he was too hard to catch.
"I lost it a little bit on the second nine. Even got a little dizzy due to the weather," Sear said. "I struggled the last five holes, but I finished and still shot under par. That's what I'm always trying to do. Shoot under par. I had enough birdies at the beginning of the round to finish it off."
Bob Niger, who will earn 2024-25 NCGA Super Senior Player of the Year honors at the end of the month, finished second at 210 after a final round 70. Former champion Mark Morgan placed third at 213.
With the victory, Sear himself positioned himself to win Senior Player of the Year honors. But things are not completely settled yet.
Haag, who trails Sear in the standings, still has the NCGA Mid-Am Four-Ball Championship on his schedule. That event will tee off Monday at Poppy Ridge.
"That was a motivation here. If I win here, I knew I could possibly be Player of the Year<' Sear said. "I am still hoping. I did feel that pressure. To win that award would be nice."
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Sept. 23, 2025
Steve Sear could be headed for a trifecta.
The 59-year-old Washoe Valley, Nev. resident took the lead in this week's annual NCGA Senior Championship, posting a second round 4-under 67 to get to a two-day total of 5-under 137.
Should Sear hold on to win, it would be his third NCGA title this year. In the spring, he won the NCGA Senior Four-Ball title with partner Randy Haag. In August, he captured the NCGA Senior Amateur at Spyglass Hill.
On what was a postcard day at Poppy Hills, Sear carded three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 9th to go against just one bogey.
Lurking in second place is 2020-21 NCGA Senior Player of the Year Mark Morgan. Morgan, who has won a career six NCGA Senior titles but has yet to win the NCGA Senior Championship, carded a second round 70 and is at 139.
Bob Niger, who will wrap up NCGA Super Senior Player of the Year honors at the end of September, is in third place at 140 following a 69.
Also going low, and making a big move, was Haag. The event's defending champion, Haag posted a stellar 66 that featured six birdies to go against a lone bogey. Haag, who is in search of a record-tying 13th NCGA Senior win, had a front-nine 33. The NCGA Hall of Famer is at 141, just four off the lead. Bill Bunce is also at 141 after a second round 68.
The cut to advance to the final round came at 7-over 149.
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Sept. 22, 2025
Rancho Murieta's Bobby McAllister is the person to chase early on at this week's 64th NCGA Championship at Poppy Hills.
McAllister, who reached the Round of 16 at this year's NCGA Senior Amateur, opened play Monday with a stellar 3-under 68 that featured six birdies to go against three bogeys.
Alone in second place is 2020-21 NCGA Senior Player of the Year Mark Morgan. Morgan, who has won a career six NCGA Senior titles, but has yet to win the NCGA Senior Championship, carded an opening 2-under 69 with four birdies and two bogeys.
Steve Sear, the winner of this year's Senior Amateur at Spyglass Hill and Senior Four-Ball with partner Randy Haag, is alone in third place at 70.
Three players--Bob Niger, Jeff Zanassi and Dan Corral--are tied for fourth at 71. Niger is a shoo-in to be the NCGA's 2024-25 Super Senior Player of the Year.
Haag, the event's defending champion, opened with 75 and is currently T-29.
The winner of the event will receive an automatic spot into final qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open at Scioto CC in Ohio.
Following Tuesday's second round, a cut will be made with the low 30 and ties advancing to Wednesday's final round.
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