​The Professional Golfers Association Hackers Tour (PGAHT)

Team Birdie Brigade Wins Another Major: The U.S. Hackers Open

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On a crisp Sunday morning at the picturesque Franklin Canyon Golf Course in Hercules, California, the PGA Hackers Tour (PGAHT) embarked upon its second major tournament of the year: the PGAHT U.S. Hackers Open. The competition featured a formidable field of 16 talented golfers, notably welcoming four new entrants to the PGAHT stage: Andrew Jarboe, Richard Morris, Allen Huggins, and Elijah Scarborough. The palpable sense of anticipation stemmed from the prospect that the perennial favorites, Team Birdie Brigade, would face a formidable challenge. And indeed, they did.

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The favorites wasted no time in asserting their dominance, launching their campaign with birdies on holes 1 and 3, followed by a trio of pars, before further impressing with birdies on holes 7 and 9 to conclude the front nine at an impressive -4. The back nine witnessed a continuation of the Birdie Brigade's stellar performance, as they secured birdies on holes 12, 13, 15, and 18, concluding the back nine at -4 and ultimately clinching victory with an overall score of -8. This narrow one-shot triumph over the runners-up, Team Jarboe, was a testament to their unwavering skill and determination.

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The strength of Team Birdie Brigade undoubtedly lay in their remarkable driving prowess, especially on the Par 5s, where they achieved birdies on all four occasions. The trio of Brady Clark, John Nunes, and Tony Mendoza utilized their lengthy drives to reduce the course's length, affording them the luxury of short iron approaches to the greens, followed by masterful putting that resulted in a total of eight birdies. Meanwhile, Chris Hogan exhibited his finesse around the greens, complemented by an adept putting stroke. This resounding victory was a collective effort where every team member played an integral role in securing the title.

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In second place, Team Jarboe concluded the tournament with a score of -7. This squad, featuring newcomers Andrew Jarboe and Richard Morris alongside veterans Tom Jarboe and Rob Lagomarsino, delivered a flawless performance, achieving seven birdies without a single bogey. The narrow one-shot margin separating them from Team Birdie Brigade stemmed from Team Jarboe's decision to par the challenging Par-5 Hole 1, while their adversaries secured a crucial birdie on the same hole.

Taking third place was Team Dolojan, concluding their campaign at -5. Comprising seasoned tour veterans Eric Dolojan, Ryan O'Keefe, Troy Marquez, and newcomer Allen Huggins, this team showcased a penchant for consistent, fundamentally sound golf. A strong start, with birdies on two of the first three holes, suggested they might challenge the favorites, but missed putts on holes 4 through 9 hindered their momentum, resulting in a -2 at the turn. Although birdies on holes 12 and 14 hinted at a resurgence, three consecutive pars on holes 15-17, along with missed birdie opportunities, ultimately proved decisive. Nonetheless, Team Dolojan's performance underscored their potential to secure victory in the near future.

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In fourth place, Team Kremin also finished at -5 but yielded the tie-breaker to Team Dolojan. Featuring newcomer Elijah Scarborough alongside tour veterans Jason Kremin, Robert Holmes, and Patrick Samples, Team Kremin displayed commendable golfing prowess, concluding the front nine at -3. However, a sluggish start on the back nine impeded their progress, and a heartbreaking bogey on hole 15 sealed their fate. True to their championship spirit, as evidenced in their earlier triumph at Boundary Oak in May, they rebounded with birdies on holes 16, 17, and 18, concluding the tournament in a manner befitting champions.

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As always, the event provided an enjoyable gathering for all participants, and the camaraderie was palpable. The 2023 PGA Hackers Tour schedule will continue with events scheduled for October and November, contingent upon favorable weather conditions. We will promptly update the tour schedule with dates and venues as soon as they are confirmed.