The Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa, CA held it’s ground against the 84 player onslaught of Southern California PGA Professionals all vying for one spot into the Northern Trust Open next week. Playing at nearly 6700 yards and Par 70 (Hole #1 was converted to a 445 yard Par 4 instead of Par 5) with greens that were deceptively fast, not a single Professional would end the day under par… or even par for that matter. However, two very strong players in Jon Fiedler of Las Posas Country Club and Tom Gardner of Bel-Air Country Club would manage rounds of 71 (+1) to tie for the low round. The two would split the firstand second place money each earning over $1000 for their effort, but a sudden-death playoff would be required to settle the spot into the Northern Trust Open.
The playoff would begin and end on the treacherous 201 yard par three 18th hole. Tom had the honor and pulled his shot left and over the greenside bunker leaving a nearly impossible up and down. Jon followed with a shot that started right and failed to turn over finding the water to the right of the green. Choosing to re-tee, Jon managed to find a good place on the green with his 3rd. With an extremely delicate touch, Tom was able to keep the ball on the green about 30 feet past the hole. With Jon unable to hole out for 4 with his first putt, Tom calmly two putted by holing a ticklish three footer in from above the hole to claim his first spot in a PGA TOUR event. We wish Tom Gardner the best in this years Northern Trust Open!!
Special thanks to the Mesa Verde Country Club, their membership and their entire PGA Professional Staff led by Tom Sargent, PGA Head Professional. It was a treat for all involved to see Mesa Verde in such prime condition!
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