​The Professional Golfers Association Hackers Tour (PGAHT)

12 Year-old Phenom Does It Again!

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On a beautiful August day in Vallejo, CA, the 2024 Players Championship was held at Blue Rock Springs Golf Course, featuring a field of 16 golfers eager to secure a major win. The spotlight was on the tournament favorites, Team Birdie Brigade, who had dominated recent events with victories in the last three PGAHT tournaments and seven out of their last ten. Expectations were high for them, but as the saying goes, the game is played on the course, not on paper. The only team to have previously defeated the Brigade was Team Saguindel, who had bested them in April at the Grey Cooper Invitational. Remarkably, they did it again, and this time, in spectacular fashion. 

Led by 12-year-old phenom Brayden Saguindel, his father Ted, and seasoned tour veterans Tony Mendoza and Robert Holmes, Team Saguindel started strong with birdies on holes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9, finishing the front nine with an impressive -6. They maintained their momentum on the back nine, securing birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, 14, and 16. Their final score of -11 was the second-best in PGAHT history, just behind Team Birdie Brigade's -12 finish last month at The Travelers. The day was marked by long drives, precise approach shots, and clutch putting, culminating in a commanding six-shot victory. 

Tied for second place at -5 were Team Kremin and the Birdie Brigade. Team Kremin clinched the runner-up position by virtue of their birdie on the challenging fifth hole, the course's most difficult, where the Birdie Brigade only managed a par. Led by Captain Jason Kremin, alongside Patrick Samples, Gerald Cabrera, and Chris Hogan, Team Kremin started strong with birdies on holes 1, 5, and 7, finishing the front nine at -3. They continued their solid play with additional birdies on holes 10, 12, and 13, marred only by a bogey on the tough 17th hole. Consistent driving, sharp approach shots, and effective putting contributed to their successful day. 

Unexpectedly, Team Birdie Brigade finished third. Despite a promising start with a birdie on hole 1, their day was marred by missed birdie opportunities, resulting in five consecutive pars on holes 2-6. A birdie on hole 7 provided some relief, but further missed putts on holes 8 and 9 left them at -2 after nine holes. A birdie on hole 10 briefly reignited their momentum, but missed chances on holes 11-13 and 15-17 overshadowed their birdies on holes 14 and 18. Although they finished strong, it was a disappointing outcome for a team that fell short of expectations. 

Rounding out the top four was Team Jarboe, finishing at -4. Similar to the Birdie Brigade, Team Jarboe struggled with missed birdie putts. Despite a strong start on the front nine, reaching -3, they could only manage one birdie on the back nine, at hole 12, making for a frustrating day. 

Looking ahead, the tour will head to Callippe Preserve Golf Course, one of the Bay Area's finest, for the U.S. Hackers Open next month. The event promises another exciting day of golf, competition, and camaraderie.