​The Professional Golfers Association Hackers Tour (PGAHT)

Two For The Money  

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On a picturesque morning at Brentwood Golf Club, Cisco Bellez and Joe Villoso showed their golf prowess as they each earned their first title in the PGAHT field. Due to the unique setup of Brentwood Golf Club with three sets of 9-hole courses instead of a single 18-hole course, the PGAHT tie-breaker based on the best score on the first common handicapped hole couldn't be applied. However, it would have been unfair to deny either player their well-deserved victory, so they were named co-champions. The question now arises as to which one, or perhaps both, will play in the traditional "Champions Group" at The Memorial in July.

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Joe Villoso set a new PGAHT record, matching Eric Dolojan's feat, by carding an impressive 79, while Bellez equaled his PGAHT career best with a spectacular 89. Both players finished at the top of the leaderboard with an impressive 12-under par. Villoso was amazed by his best round ever, and Bellez couldn't hide his pride and relief as he exclaimed, "Finally!" upon confirmation of his first title. With this win, both Cisco Bellez and Joe Villoso have removed themselves from the "Best Players Yet To Win" list, with the top spot now belonging to the third-place finisher, Jimmy Huang.

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Before the arrival of Villoso and Bellez, the 2009 Player of the Year, Jimmy Huang, had set the clubhouse lead with a PGAHT career best of 85, an impressive 9-under par, securing him a third-place finish. Jimmy has continued to showcase his steady and improving golf skills, making it clear to the rest of the tour that it will take their very best to beat him. While he hasn't clinched his first title yet, Jimmy consistently performs well on the leaderboard and in the skins game, making it only a matter of time before he adds that coveted title to his accomplishments.

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Similar to champion Joe Villoso, Eric Dolojan had an outstanding performance with a lifetime best round of 79, finishing at an impressive 7-under par. However, despite his remarkable score, he had to settle for 4th place in the tournament. Nevertheless, Dolojan was able to cash in on the leaderboard, the skins game, and a side wager with his rival, '09 Masters of Hack Champion, Ted Saguindel. It seems that a thrilling duel between Dolojan and Saguindel may be in store as the year progresses.

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Robert Holmes, on the other hand, narrowly missed out on earning money with a solid 6-under par 103. Holmes admitted to struggling with his new Oddessy putter, citing missed short putts and tap-ins as the culprit for not breaking 100 on the tour and missing out on potential earnings. However, he acknowledged the importance of every stroke counting on tournament day and vowed to improve his putting for the next event at the Players. "I've learned my lesson and won't be careless again," Holmes stated. It remains to be seen if he can make good on his promise and turn his fortunes around in the upcoming tournaments.

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Kudos to Marcel Crossland for an impressive round of 108, finishing at 4-under par and securing seventh place! It's evident that Crossland's practice and dedication are paying off, as he came close to earning a cash prize in the tournament.

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On the par-3 fifth hole, Tony Rago encountered a setback as he splashed his tee shot into the water. However, Rago demonstrated remarkable composure and skill by holing out a spectacular pitch to salvage a par.

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Ted Saguindel also had a memorable moment on the Diablo course, recording an impressive eagle on the par-5 sixth hole. Saguindel's exceptional play showcased his talent and competitiveness in the tournament.

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In another match-up, Kenny Vierra took a 2-0 lead over Grey Cooper on tournament day, highlighting the competitive nature of the event. Grey Cooper's performance and response to the challenge remain to be seen.