​The Professional Golfers Association Hackers Tour (PGAHT)

Nunes and Cabrera Share Title With One Stroke Win Over Bellez

​

The Delta Classic proved once again to be an enthralling event, showcasing the talent and skill of the participants. The year opened with a classic duel, followed by another gripping competition at Lone Tree upon our return. John Nunes, Gerald Cabrera, and Cisco Bellez all displayed their prowess, engaging in an intense battle on the greens. When the dust settled, all three emerged victorious in their own right. Bellez narrowly outperformed Nunes and Cabrera on the front-9 with a score of 46-47, while Nunes and Cabrera made a comeback on the back-9, resulting in matching scores of 41-43, and ultimately sharing the title with identical scores of 88.

​

Nunes also claimed the longest drive competition on hole #13, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable player. With this win, Nunes now boasts a total of five tour wins, setting a new all-time record, much to the pride of his sponsors, Hawaiian Sun, Ping, and Nike, who refrained from publicly stating "we told you so," but expressed their unwavering support and admiration for Nunes' achievements.

​

Cabrera, on the other hand, secured his third consecutive title, one for each of his esteemed sponsors, King Cobra, Callaway, and Bridgestone. He now has his sights set on surpassing Nunes' all-time career win record, with only two wins away. Undoubtedly, Nunes will be keeping a close eye on Cabrera's progress, as the competition for the top spot intensifies.

​

Bellez, who made a strong impression during the tournament, claimed the front-9 and narrowly missed the title by a single stroke, showcasing his potential as a force to be reckoned with on the tour. He is already being hailed as an early favorite in the upcoming PGAH Championship at Rancho Solano next month.

​

Steve Jacobson, whose two-tournament winning streak came to an end, played as expected with steady and consistent golf, resulting in a score of 95. Jacobson is anticipated to be back in contention in the next tournament, showcasing his unwavering skill and determination.

​

Jason Kremin faced a disappointing start with a score of 9 on the first hole, but showed resilience to recover and ultimately finish in fourth place with a score of 97. Kremin cited missed birdie opportunities that resulted in bogeys as the defining moments of his round on Sunday. Nevertheless, he remains determined to bounce back in the next tournament.

​

Wayne Validum, making his PGAHT debut, displayed promise with a score of 98, securing fifth place. With tournament experience now under his belt, Validum is expected to achieve even greater success in the future, as is the case for most players who perform better in subsequent tournaments. He is warmly welcomed to the tour.

​

Despite the absence of the anticipated "who's your caddie" round, Frank Zapata persevered and showcased commendable performance. Although he started slow on the front-9, he made a brilliant recovery on the back-9, finishing with a score of 99. Congratulations are in order for Zapata, who successfully broke the 100 mark on the tour, and is currently playing at a high level.

​

Rob Pierce, with a score of 100, faced challenges on the greens during the front-9 with 21 putts, but demonstrated resilience and improved performance on the back-9 with only 17 putts. His sponsors, Sky Caddie, Odyssey Putters, and Brush Tees, express confidence in his ability to perform at his best in the next tournament.

​

Ralph Holmes made a surprising appearance and displayed commendable performance with a score of 104. Holmes showcased that he still possesses the talent to be a legitimate contender on the tour, and with some further refinement, he has the potential to climb up the leaderboard. Balco and Colt-45 are eager to see him succeed, as it would enhance their advertising rates.

​

Mike Hubner's performance during the tournament was inconsistent, with moments of excellence, such as pars on holes 4, 5, 9, 12, and 15. However, he struggled with high scores on holes 3, 7, 8, 11, and 13. It is evident that he has the skills to win, and he will strive to minimize the impact of these high numbers in the upcoming month's competition, with the aim of achieving a successful outcome.

​

One of the disappointing performances of the day was by Robert Holmes, particularly for those who had bet on the under for his round, as he posted a score of 116. He struggled early on, with a career-high 64 on the front nine, which put him out of contention after just 4 holes. However, he was able to salvage some dignity on the back nine with a respectable score of 52. Despite his efforts, he was disappointed by missing two makeable par putts on holes 11 and 12, although he did manage to par hole 13. His pitching and chipping skills also continued to be subpar. Hopefully, he will perform better in his next outing.

​

In conclusion, it was still a successful day and tournament overall. Special thanks are extended once again to Rob Pierce for making all the arrangements.