Defending champion Andrew Perez is off to a blistering start in the 52nd annual Santa Barbara City Golf Championship.
Perez shot an 8-under par 62 in the first round to soar to the top of the leader board at the Santa Barbara Golf Club. It’s believed to be the lowest first-round score in tournament history, and it ties the all-time record for the lowest round overall.
Brandon Gama, who is in second place at 66, is the last player to shoot a 62. He did it when he won the title in 2009 with a tournament record 193.
Perez, the California Community College state champion, is trying to become the first back-to-back winner since UCSB’s Tony Verna in 2006-07. He opened last year’s tournament with a 63.
Brent Brockemeyer and Kevin Ruby are tied for third at 67. Five players are at 68, including two-time champion Kevin Marsh and Allen Geiberger, the grandson of Mr. 59 Al Geiberger, a Santa Barbara High alum.
In the other flights, Chris Prendergast leads the Palmer at 71; Mark Johnson tops the Nicklaus at 76; Tim Seidl leads the Trevino at 74 and Jeff Chaffin, Joseph Ortega and Rick Gerard share the Snead Flight lead at 84.
The championship flight will tee off at 1:30 p.m. and the other flights at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
62
Andrew Perez
66
Brandon B Gama
67
Brent Brockermeyer
Kevin Ruby
68
Alan Geiberger
Albert Corral
Andrew Skjonsby
Buddy Duncan
Kevin Marsh
69
George F Downing
Mike Mccaskey
70
Aaron West
Brandon Shaw
Kris Butkys
Thayer White
71
Andrew Garcia
Cameron Tennant
David A Pichon
Matt Sobczak
Max Cohen
Patrick M Duncan
Paul Misko
Rick Taniguchi
Ryan Barry
72
Douglas Head
Joey M Crawford
Jorgen Staal
Matthew Free
Ray Gerow
73
Adam Greene
Chris Mangold
Jared Hentila
John Baur
Karma Lama
Mark L Prince
Pea Hill
Tyler Schwanz
74
Alec Constantinides
Alex Romo
Danny Carroll
Jeff Myers
Lane Fuller
Robby Mayes
Robert Garske
Rory Doll
Scott G Patterson
75
Brent Meschuk
Brian Walker
Christian Sanders
Drew Cornell
76
Brett Patton
Brian Yelmen
Chad McLay
Dave Aarons
Derek Jones
Dodge Ward
Harold Pany
Jimmy Clesson
Pat Tuliao
Patrick Macmichael
Peter J Gullickson
Rick Easter
77
Andrew Prather
Gerard Sanders
Jonny Hogan
Max Angell
Michael Haupt
Ruben Carmona
Spencer Rowley
78
Mickey Kirby
Peter Peretiako
Richard Padilla
79
Austin Boyd
Bailey Rogers
80
Ed Susolik
82
Emilie R Smith
83
Brent Bowyer
Jared Kelly
87
John Harding
99
Paul Grant
Steven Ramirez
