​The Professional Golfers Association Hackers Tour (PGAHT)

Record Setting Day For Lopez 

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The 2007 Delta Classic was a highly competitive event that showcased exceptional performances from several players. James Lopez, in particular, stood out with an impressive display of skill and consistency. Lopez burst out of the gate with five consecutive pars (holes 2-6) and maintained his momentum throughout the tournament, ultimately finishing with a PGAHT record round of 83 and a remarkable 19-under par, the lowest watermark score to date. His nearest competitor, Tony Rago Jr., finished a distant 10 strokes behind Lopez. Lopez attributed his success to steady play and his new Mizuno hybrid, prompting praise from his sponsors at Mizuno who expressed surprise at his exceptional performance.

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Tony Rago Jr. also made a notable impact on the PGAHT scene with a superb 9-under round of 100, securing second place. Rago's performance would have been even more impressive if not for some trouble at the par-5 13th hole. With 10 bogeys and 2 pars (at 12 and 17), Rago's 9-under would have been enough to win any other tournament except the Delta Classic. Nevertheless, Rago's strong showing serves as a clear indication that he is a formidable contender for a PGAHT title, as affirmed by his sponsors at Mark's Paint Store who have announced plans to build a trophy case for him.

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Steve Hom, a perennial contender in PGAHT events, displayed consistent play and posted a solid 8-under par 87, securing third place. Hom mirrored James Lopez by recording five consecutive pars on holes 2 through 6, but ultimately missed out on second place due to Tony Rago's exceptional performance. Nonetheless, Hom's consistent presence at the top of PGAHT leaderboards makes him a strong favorite for the upcoming PGAHT Championship.

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Masters of Hack Champion John Nunes also demonstrated his excellent golf skills by posting a 7-under 91, securing fourth place. Nunes' performance included an impressive eagle on the par-4 9th hole, where he drove the elevated green from the tee-box and sunk the putt from a distance of 292 yards. Although a setback on hole 3 dashed his title hopes, Nunes rallied and secured winning shares of the final two turns. His sponsors at Nike, Ping, Cobra, and Hawaiian Sun expressed confidence in his abilities as he prepares to defend his title at the upcoming PGAHT Championship, to be held at Rancho Solano.

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Cisco Bellez, Grey Cooper, and newcomer Archie Ricafrente all posted a respectable 4-under par, tying for fifth place. For Bellez, this performance marked a step in the right direction as he has been struggling to stay below par in recent tournaments. Notably, Bellez came within a stroke of winning The Delta Classic last year, showcasing his potential to contend for the title. For Cooper, this was a personal best performance, providing insight into what it takes to compete at the top of the leaderboard. As for Archie Ricafrente, it was a successful debut in PGAHT events and a promising preview of his future potential. All three players are expected to be strong contenders for their first PGAHT title at the upcoming PGAHT Championship.

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Robert Holmes appears to be making progress as he climbed up the leader-board with a 3-over round of 112, a decent performance for him. He showed promise with an impressive 2-under par at the first turn and even par for the second turn. However, he struggled on holes 15 through 18, which hindered his quest for a sub-100 round and contention for the title. Nevertheless, his sponsors at Callaway Golf, Srixon, and RJM Golf expressed their approval, stating that they had confidence in Holmes and expected him to perform even better in the future.

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Gino Susim also finished with a round of 3-over par, tying for 6th place. Despite encountering difficulties on holes 2, 8, and 12, he showcased some fine play with pars on holes 4, 7, 9, 13, and 15. Susim will be looking to bounce back and contend for the title at the upcoming PGAH Championship next month.

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Players champion Ralph Holmes followed with a 6-over round of 108. Although he struggled with nine double bogeys, he managed to string together back-to-back pars on holes 12 and 13. He is eyeing his second title at Rancho Solano next month, and his sponsors at Mizuno noted that he is still getting accustomed to his new MX-23 irons, but his game is expected to peak for the upcoming championship.

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Rob Pierce and Jason Kremin both finished at 7-over par, tying for 7th place. While both players were disappointed with their performances, their sponsors had a different perspective. Pierce's sponsors at Sky-Caddie pointed out that Pierce had a lot on his plate in the past month and was unable to prepare as thoroughly as he would have liked. Similarly, Kremin's sponsors at Nike, Cleveland Golf, and Extra-Strength Prilosec echoed a similar sentiment. All sponsors are hopeful that their players will have a better showing at Rancho Solano next month.

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New professional golfer Chris Hogan completed his first pro round after having to leave Las Positas at the turn last month. Although he struggled on the front-9, he showed improvement on the back-9, finishing with 9 fewer strokes. This demonstrates the resilience and determination of a PGAHT pro.

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We are thrilled to report that the recent PGAHT event was yet another successful and enjoyable occasion. We crowned a deserving new champion and our updated prize-fund structure allowed us to recognize Tony Rago for his exceptional performance. It was particularly exciting to see two new names at the top of the leader-board, as we welcomed four new players to the tour, adding to the fun and competitiveness of the event. We are grateful to all the tour veterans for their continued support in making the PGAHT a fantastic experience, and we extend a warm welcome to our new players. We eagerly anticipate competing and engaging in friendly competition with each of you every month, as the PGAHT embodies the spirit of camaraderie and enjoyment in the game of golf. Thank you to all participants for making the PGAHT an outstanding event.