MARICOPA, AZ – The most important thing a professional golfer wants is to be in contention for a tournament title when the last day rolls around. This week on the Asher Tour, that was the position Chad Hambright (Canyon Lake), Josh Anderson (Murrieta), Christian Rajcic (Ramona), and John Chin (Temecula) found themselves in at the Southern Dunes Classic.
Hambright shared the 36-hole lead after rounds of 62 and 69 for a two-day total of 131 while Rajcic started final round action two shots behind, Anderson was three back and Chin five back. It was a low scoring week in the desert which saw Canada’s Stuart McDonald prevail by two shots after shooting rounds of 65-67-64=196 (-20).
Hambright, who posted a final round of 67, earned $8,500 and his second runner up of the year after finishing second in this year’s California State Open. Anderson also finished in the top ten with a tied for eighth place showing after a final round 67 and earned $3,250 for the week.
Chin and Rajcic shared 27th place after shooting -10 over the three days to earn $917.
In this wraparound season the Asher Tour will make several stops in our area including… Morongo Golf Club of Tukwet Canyon (Oct. 31-Nov. 1 & Jan. 24-26, 2024), Temecula Creek Inn (Oaks and Creek layouts) from March 18-20, 2024, Golf Club of California in Fallbrook from March 26-28, 2024, Soboba Springs Country Club from April 3-5, 2024, and Redhawk Golf Club from April 15-17, 2024.
These early season events provide players an opportunity to prepare their games for the rigorous examination of PGA Tour qualifying school where they’ll have the opportunity to earn Korn Ferry or PGA Tour status based on performance. Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta will host a first stage (one of 12 nationwide) site from October 17-20.
Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.
