Johnny Ruiz tees off on the second playoff hole on Sunday at Glen Annie Golf Course. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Five strokes down, nine holes to go, and with nothing to lose, Simi Valley’s Johnny Ruiz went for it on Sunday and ended up with his second Goleta City Championship at Glen Annie Golf Course.
Ruiz stormed back to draw even with day-one leader Brandon Gama on the final hole and captured the title in a three-hole playoff.
“I got a little more aggressive knowing that I was five back,” Ruiz said. “I just started firing at the flags and I was a little more aggressive with my putts.”
The strategy was in full display on the 18th hole with Ruiz still one-shot back at the tee box. While Gama used an iron, Ruiz pulled out his driver to get closer to the green on the 353-yard par-4.
“I crushed it but it went straight, it wasn’t drawing,” recalled Ruiz. “I thought it was in the water. We were walking up saying we had to hole the second shot but it was safe.”
Ruiz seemed to have luck on his side again on the next shot when his approach landed on the slope behind the green. After a slight pause, the ball began to slowly roll down the hill and came to rest within 10 feet of the cup. Ruiz dropped his putt for a birdie.
Gama and Ruiz began the playoff by replaying 18 and continuing to hole No. 1. Ruiz won the playoff on the par-3 second hole.
“It really worked out in my favor when they flipped the coin. He went first so I get to see what he does,” Ruiz said.
The deciding hole was the par-3 second. It was 143 yards to the pin, which was positioned at the front of the green. The hole sits on a hill top and the wind was blowing right to left much harder than the previous two holes.
Both players hit to the left side of the green. Gama, further out, put the pressure on Ruiz with a chip to within five feet of the flag. Ruiz, on the fringe, was able to use his putter and guided his second shot a few feet past the hole.
Gama rolled his par putt past the hole equal distance from where it started, and then missed the return putt.
With some breathing room, Ruiz closed it out on his next shot. The twenty-year-old from Simi Valley won his first Goleta City Championship in 2011.
Gama’s first-round 67 led the field after Saturday. Ruiz shot a 68 on Sunday while Gama finished with a 72. The pair, playing in the same group on Sunday, completed 36 holes with equal 139s.
The First Flight was won by David Duron and Peter Malinowski at 141. The Second Flight was led by Joseph Ortega’s 135 and Jerry Anderson’s 137.
RESULTS
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
RUIZ, JOHNNY 71 68 139 Won on 3rd playoff hole
GAMA, BRANDON 67 72 — 139
SNYDER, TIM 72 71 — 143
HOGAN, JOHNNY 72 72 — 144
LEDZINSKI, JERRY 71 73 — 144
NAM, MICHAEL 72 74 — 146
PATTON, BRETT 76 71 — 147
AARONS, DAVE 72 75 — 147
KIRBY, MICKEY W 71 76 — 147
STANFIELD, ANDREW 75 73 — 148
MORY, FELIX 72 76 — 148
FLINCK, JOAKIM 71 77 — 148
SILVERNAIL, BRETT 70 79 — 149
WALZ, JESSE 78 72 — 150
LAM, STEVEN 75 75 — 150
GRALITZER, JACOB 74 76 — 150
KNOTTS, RICHARD 74 76 — 150
WAITES, DENNIS 74 77 — 151
MADRIGAL, MICHAEL 75 77 —152
SMITH, GRADY 75 77 — 152
CONSTANTINIDES, ALEC 79 75 —154
SORENSEN, PAUL 80 75 — 155
HYLTON, GREG 75 80 — 155
SHOU, JOSHUA 76 80 — 156
CARMONA, RUBEN 75 81 — 156
EWEN, GUY 79 78 — 157
SMABY, REMY 82 76 — 158
BEDARD, JAMES 78 80 — 158
GLEASON, BRET 81 79 — 160
ALVARADO, BRANDON 76 84 — 160
GOMERSALL, PRESTON 82 79 — 161
HOLDEN, PATRICK 80 81 — 161
GALSTERER, MICHAEL 84 78 — 162
BERGSTROM, ANDERS 80 82 — 162
TUMBEL, BENEDICTUS 82 81 — 163
MOON, HARRY 78 85 — 163
SJOBERG, DAVIN 82 83 — 165
TALLEY, DAVID 85 81 — 166
RIEB, KYLE 83 83 — 166
WESCOTT, JOSH 81 85 — 166
GILLES, AARON 86 84 — 170
MANDARINO, BILLY 77 93 — 170
GRETCHEN, DANA 92 82 — 174
FOOSHERIAN, SPENCER 88 88 — 176
SMITH, EMILIE 86 WD
AMIRKHIZI, BRENNAN 74 WD
