Pairings | Results
September 23, 2026
At the recent U.S. Senior Amateur, Trae Cassell mentioned that he needed to start swinging the club better to friend Jason Pridmore.
While Cassell would end up being the medalist at the U.S. Senior Amateur, he quickly exited after an opening loss in the Round of 64.
Suffice to say, it looks like Cassell has his game in shape again. On Wednesday at Poppy Hills, Cassell shot a final-round 1-under 70 to hold on and win the 65th NCGA Senior Championship by a stroke over Pridmore.
While it was Cassell's first NCGA title, it marked his second in the Del Monte Forest. In 2024, he captured the California Senior Amateur at Monterey Peninsula CC.
Now he's got a win along the coast, and amidst the trees.
"There are so many good players up here and the quality of the courses is so good," said Ewing, who finished the event with a three-day total of even-par 213. "I enjoy coming up here and playing. It's the same with the SCGA. We are super lucky in California to have such good courses."
It wasn't an easy finish for the 57-year-old Cassell. On the par-3 17th, he bogeyed, dropping his lead to just a shot over Pridmore. Playing in the group ahead, Pridmore went on to make birdie on the par-5 18 to come in at a total of 1-over 214.
That meant that Cassell, who hails from Rancho Sante Fe, had to at least make par to avoid a playoff. On 18, Cassell hit his second shot into the greenside bunker. Despite a tough lie, he'd knock it on the green and two-putt from there to seal the victory.
"I tried to just get out somewhere where I could make a five," Cassell said. "Poppy was tough this week."
In the first and second rounds, Cassell shot 70 and 73, respectively. Overall he posted 12 birdies to go against eight bogeys and two double-bogeys.
Pridmore had made a charge on the back-nine, going 3-under through his first seven holes. But he too would bogey No.17.
Toby Osborne and 2023 champion Mike Stieler tied for third at 215 after final rounds of 67 and 72, respectively. Osborne was awarded third place in a card-off (lower score for the day).
Photo Gallery
September 22, 2026
It looks like the final round of this year's NCGA Senior Championship is going to come down to the last putt.
Following Tuesday's second round at Poppy Hills, four players were tied for the lead with a 36-hole total of 1-over 143--Trae Cassell, Ron Ewing, Mike Stieler and Larry Salk.
The biggest mover of the four was Stieler. Winner of the event in 2023, Stieler, the superintendent at Green Valley CC, posted a 1-over 72 that featured three birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey on the par-5 18th.
Cassell, winner of the 2024 California Senior Amateur, shot a 73. Ewing, the first-round leader, slipped backwards with a 76. Salk fell back to a 74.
While the four are tied at the top, the door is now open for a number of other players, including Jason Pridmore, who is alone in fifth place at 144. Joseph Schiebold and John Jones, meanwhile, are just three back at 146.
One of the most impressive scores is that of former Super Senior champion Chuck Richesin. Richesin, at age 77, is T-8 after rounds of 74 and 73, respectively. Poppy Hills is playing at around 6,500 for the championship.
The cutline (low 30 and ties) came at 9-over par 151.
September 21, 2026
NCGA veteran Ron Ewing already has an NCGA title, that coming at the 2024 Mid-Amateur Four-Ball with partner Chris Cuttone.
This time, Ewing is on the hunt for a personal win.
The 58-year-old grabbed the lead Monday in this week's NCGA Senior Championship, posting a tidy 4-under 67 that included seven birdies to go against three bogeys. Through a stretch between holes Nos. 7 through No.14, he'd go 5-under, making three straight birdies on holes Nos. 12 through 14.
In second place at 69 is Larry Salk. Salk also posted seven birdies, but the Fairfax resident also carded five bogeys.
Two players--Trae Cassell and Randy Norvelle--are tied for third at 70. Cassell recently earned medalist honors at the U.S. Senior Amateur.
Defending champion Steve Sear is not in the field.
Following Tuesday's second round, a cut will be made with the low 30 (and ties) advancing to Wednesday's final round.
