Sandia Championship 2014 - Tournament Results

Sandia Championship

Albuquerque, NM—The GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour of New Mexico continued its 2014 season with the Sandia Championship at the Sandia Golf Club in Albuquerque  NM on Saturday, March 22.  The Sandia Championship proved again to be one of the most favorite events on the NM Tour.  The tournament featured the 4th largest field for a NM Am Tour event in the last five years.  In addition to New Mexico players, we had several visitors from the Colorado, Arizona, and Virginia tours.  The players had to handle cool breezy conditions but still much better than the conditions they played in last year. Excellent scores were posted in each flight and there were some first time winners and some repeat winners. 

Second year tour Player, William Galbreth of Albuquerque captured his first Am Tour victory with an outstanding 74.  William played very well on both nines (37,37) and led the Championship flight with 3 birdies.   Alan Turney returned to action after missing the season opener with elbow surgery and also posted an excellent 76 to take second place.   

In the combined Palmer/Sr Palmer Flight, tour veterans William Fortner of Farmington NM and Terry Freeze of Albuquerque, both posted strong rounds of 80.   William played steady golf, not making anything worse than bogey on both nines (40,40).   Terry started off very strong with a front nine 38, but faded on the back nine with a 42.  William took the 1st place prize when Terry was unable to compete in the playoff.  

The combined Hogan/Sr Hogan flight was the largest flight in the tournament.  Second year tour player Aubrey Johnson of Albuquerque also broke through with his first Am Tour victory, an excellent 81.  Aubrey played an up and down front nine 42, but really played well on the back with a very solid 39.  Second and third places went to two of our Colorado visitors.  Tom Flores of Brighton CO posted an 84 for 2nd place, just edging out Chad Shubin (85) of Parker CO.    

In the combined Sarazen/Sr Sarazen Flight, Phil Aragon of Santa Rosa NM, continued his winning ways taking his 2nd victory in a row.   Phil played steady golf and ended up with a strong round of 85.   One shot back was James Jefferies, returning to action this year with an 86.  Rounding out the top 3, Joseph Perez started off slow (48) and finished strong (41).    

In the always competitive combined Jones/Sr Jones Flight,  Isaac Padilla of Flora Vista and Douglas (DJ) Christian of Albuquerque went at it again.  At the Southern New Mexico Challenge, DJ took the victory over Isaac.  This time Isaac came back after a slow front nine to take a 1 shot victory over DJ.  Isaac’s round of 88 was a roller coaster on the front nine (48) but he got his game under control and posted a excellent 40 on the back.  He just never gave up on what could have been a poor round.  DJ played strong on the front (43) but just faded a bit on the back nine.   

Derek Freeman of Albuquerque, continued his strong play in the Snead flight, also taking his 2nd victory in a row.  Derek’s 86 was good for a 12 shot victory.  Derek shot an excellent 39 on the front nine and was able to play steady golf on the back nine to take the win.  

Thanks to all of the NM Am Tour players and visitors for playing in the Sandia Championship.  

Note:  The TOUR returns to action with the Red Hawk Open on March 30 and the Santa Ana Open on April 13.  Please contact me by email or phone before the registration deadlines for these events if you want to pay by cash or check.

Top Finishers and Payouts:

For full field scores and event photos please visit www.gcamtour.com/albuquerque

Championship Flight:

74 – William Galbreth ($100 and Trophy)
76 – Alan Turney ($50)

Palmer/Senior Palmer Flight:

80 – William Fortner ($150 and Trophy)
80 – Terry Freeze ($50)

Hogan/Senior Hogan Flight:

81 – Aubrey Johnson ($150 and Trophy)
84 – Tom Flores ($100)
85 – Chad Shubin ($50)

Sarazen/Senior Sarazen Flight:

85 – Phil Aragon ($100 and Trophy)
86 – James Jefferies ($75)
89 - Joseph Perez ($50)

Jones/Senior Jones Flight:

88 – Isaac Padilla ($125 and Trophy)
89 – Doug Christian ($50)

Snead/Sr Snead Flight

86 – Derek Freeman ($100 and Trophy)

Optional Skins Game Results:

Group 1 ( Championship/Palmer)

#14 – William Galbreth ($93)
#1 – Kevin Thompson ($93)
#5 – Roland Lucero ($93)

Group 2 (Hogan/Sarazen)

#4, 6 – Adrian Abreu ($85)
#11, 16 – Chad Shubin ($85)
#14 – Alfred Taylor ($42)
#1 – Alan Truelock ($42)
#8 – Aubrey Johnson ($42)
#13 - Phil Aragon ($42)
#18 - Joseph Perez ($42)

Group 3 (Jones/Snead)

#15 – Isaac Padilla ($55)
#17 – Robby Ray  ($55)
#16 – Douglas Christian ($55)
#3 - Derek Freeman ($55)

Contact:

Don Rountree
Tour Director – New Mexico
drountree@gcamtour.com
505-250-4315