HVL’s Witt claims win at OneMan

Golf course superintendent shoots 11-under-par round

BUCKINGHAM >> Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course superintendent Billy Witt dominated the One Person Scramble field on Saturday as he ran away from all pursuers with an 11-under-par score of 61 in the season-opening tournament for the Lake County Amateur Golf Circuit at Buckingham Golf and Country Club.

The amateur circuit kicked off its 28th season of competition with the One Person Scramble, the ultimate mulligan-fest. A golfer hits his or her first shot, then gets another chance to improve upon it with a second shot. At that point the golfer picks the better of the two shots and proceeds from there. It’s also a classic strategy format with golfers often safely hitting an iron off the tee and then reaching into their bag to pull out a driver to grip it and rip it even farther.

Witt, who recently turned 50 years old, won the overall championship flight as well as the senior flight. His round included an eagle-three on the par-5 seventh hole, 10 birdies and one lone bogey on the par-3 sixth hole. Witt captured his One Person Scramble title way back in 2012. His overall goal for the 2021 golf campaign is to garner circuit golfer of the year honors in both the championship and senior flights. Only two golfers, Juan Lopez and John Berry, have won the championship and seniors flights in the circuit’s history, but never in the same season.

In second place on Saturday’s scoreboard with a 6-under-par 66 was Cypress College standout Matt Wotherspoon, who is still involved in distance learning at Cypress although the school’s 2021 golf season has been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dylan Harrison of Mount Hannah and Juan Lopez of Finley tied for third place with 18-hole totals of 68. Rounding out the top five was Max Huff of Hidden Valley Lake with a 3-under-par 69.

Wyatt Ferrell of Kelseyville came in sixth place with a score of 70.

Net flight

In the net flight for golfers with handicaps of 10 and higher, Billy Shaul of Kelseyville and Dr. Hank Long of Lakeport ended up tied atop a closely contested leader board. Shaul and Long both posted scores of 56. In the two-hole playoff that ensued, both golfers tied with pars on the first playoff hole. Shaul made a curling, downhill 8-foot par putt on the second playoff hole to take home the net flight title.

One stroke back in a tie for third place was the threesome of Mason Smith, Enrique Monsante,and Darren Hostetler with rounds of 57. Kevin Ryan and Pete Wotherspoon were next with 61 while Brennen Bethel and Clear Lake High School golfer Nathon Lopez finished at 62.

Senior championship

In the senior championship flight for golfers ages 50 and older, Shaul came in first with his 61 while Lopez was second with 68. Mike Patterson of Kelseyville finished in third place with a 2-under-par 70. Jerry Pangle of Lakeport was fourth with 72.

Senior net

Dr. Hank Long, who came up just short by losing to Shaul in the net flight playoff, was still solid enough to win the senior net flight for golfers ages 50 and older who carry a handicap of 10 and higher. Long carded a net 56 to win by a safe five strokes, the first circuit victory for the Lakeport dentist.

The runner-up was Jim Wright of Kelseyville with a 61. One shot behind him in a tie for third place were Dr. Bob Jolin of Lakeport and Todd Colbrandt of Middletown, both with 62.

Joe Del Prete of Kelseyville and Albert Diaz of Napa were next with 63. At 64 was the foursome of Don Bunch, Javier Casteneda, Dave Lovitt and Rick Easter.

Schedule/awards

The next tournament on the Lake County Amateur Golf Circuit schedule is the Lake County Two Person Scramble on March 20 at Buckingham. Following the conclusion of the Two Person Scramble, tournament officials will recognize the winners of the On the Links Lake County Golfer of the Year awards for 2020. Witt was the golfer of the year, Lopez was the senior golfer of the year, Hostetler and Colbrandt ended up in a dead heat for net golfer of the year honors while Colbrandt also will be recognized for finishing atop the standings for senior net golfer of the year.