Player Information/Pairings/Results
September 25, 2024
NCGA Hall of Famer Randy Haag already had won 10 NCGA senior titles. Conspicuously missing, however, was the NCGA Senior Championship.
Not anymore.
The now 65-year-old Haag scratched the Senior off his list, carding a 4-under 67 on Wednesday at Poppy Hills to win by two strokes over longtime friend Steve Sears. Along with capturing his 11th NCGA senior title, Haag finished off the NCGA senior triple crown (earlier this year he won the NCGA Senior Four-Ball and Senior Match Play Championship).
"I'm almost at a loss for words. I can't remember a tournament that I played in where it was this close and I was able to make this many putts," said Haag, who finished with a championship record three-day total of 7-under 206. "It doesn't happen very often so I am over the moon. I had never won this event, so it was sort of stuck in my craw."
It wasn't easy. Coming to the 17th tee, Haag held a slim one-stroke edge over Sear. Following their tee shots, Sear was just off the green, facing a 15-footer. Haag, meanwhile, was on and looking at a 10-footer. Sears sank his putt to temporarily tie for the lead. Just a minute after, Haag made his putt to maintain his one-shot lead.
A hole later on the 18th, Haag sealed the deal after reaching the green in two and tapping in for a closing birdie. Sear's drive had found the fairway bunker on the left, forcing to layup and settle for a par.
Earlier in the round, Haag made an incredible sand save on the par-3 6th hole after draining a 15-foot putt.
The two have known each other for over 40 years, having met in past NCGA competitions starting in the 1980's. Sear was the NCGA Player of the Year in 1988 after winning that year's NCGA Amateur at Spyglass HIll.
A former pro who lives in Nevada, Sear was making his NCGA Senior debut. A week before arriving at Poppy Hills, Sear had won the Nevada Senior Amateur.
"It turned out to be a great match. It was fun to play with a pal that I've known for 40 years," Haag said. "Steve is a phenomenal player. We pushed each other. It was really enjoyable. The course was fabulous. The NCGA just puts on super events."
Competing at times against players a decade younger than himself, Haag attributes his staying power to among other things, Pilates.
"The Pilates has been very helpful to me to keep up my distance. It's just part of the work that goes on behind the scenes," Haag said. "As long as I feel I can compete, I'll be out here."
Third place went to Mark Morgan at 211 following a final round 70.
Photo Gallery Here
Photo Gallery Here 2
September 24, 2024
NCGA Hall of Famer Randy Haag has won just about every NCGA tournament there is. As a senior alone, Haag has captured 10 titles--the Senior Four-Ball four times, the Senior Match Play title four times and the California Senior Amateur twice (2021-22).
Conspicuously missing from the Olympic Club member's resume, however, has been an NCGA Senior Championship title. Maybe it's time for the now 66-year-old to also scratch that one off.
On Tuesday, Haag took the lead at this week's Senior Championship at Poppy Hills, carding a second-round 1-under 70 on a day where fog and cold breezes arrived. Haag will enter Wednesday's final round with a two-day total of 3-under 139.
While Haag hung in there, first-round leader Mark Morgan slipped backward into a tie for second at 141 after a disappointing 74. Morgan, who's looking for his sixth career NCGA senior title, at point was at a total of 5-under and in firm control. He'd proceed, however, to post four bogeys over a five-hole stretch on the back-nine to lose the lead.
Also at 141 are Bill Bunce and Steve Sear, who both carded 71. Andy Gabelman of Carmel is in fifth place at 142.
The cutline to advance to the final round came at 11-over par 153.
September 23, 2024
Mark Morgan took a big step toward adding another title to what is already a glowing NCGA resume. Thing is, some other "been there, done that" guys are also right in the thick of things.
Morgan grabbed the lead in this week's NCGA Senior Championship on a spectacular Monday at Poppy Hills, carding a solid 4-under 67 that could have been even lower. The 67 is one of the lowest scores in event history. Robert Funk carded a 67 on his way to winning the title in 2020.
Thanks in part to a red hot putter, Morgan opened his round with a 32 on the back-nine. Following two more birdies on holes No.1 and No.5, he'd get to a total of 5-under before slipping to a bogey on the closing par-5 9th.
The 2020 and 2021 NCGA Senior Player of the Year, Morgan with a win would climb to six total NCGA Senior victories. He has already won two Senior Four-Ball crowns (with friend Mike Rowley) and three Senior Valley Amateurs (2016, '18 and '19). The Shingle Springs resident also has a California Senior Amateur title from 2017.
In at 2-under after matching rounds of 69 is the trio of Funk, Andy Gabelman and Randy Haag. Funk is no stranger to winning at Poppy Hills. In 2020, along with winning the NCGA Senior, Funk won the California Senior Amateur at Poppy Hills.
Haag, meanwhile, is looking for his 11th career NCGA Senior crown. The Olympic Club member and NCGA Hall of Famer has won the Senior Four-Ball four times and the Senior Match Play title four times. He also won back-to-back California Senior Amateur crowns in 2021-22. One event missing from's Haag's resume is the NCGA Senior.
Four players are just three shots off the lead at 70.
Following Tuesday's second round, a cut will be made with the low 30 and ties advancing to Wednesday's final round.
Photo Gallery Here