120th California State Open

This is the first California State Open Championship victory for Anderson who fought off an onslaught of players making a charge in the final round, positing a two-under par 70, and finished with a four-day total of 273, 15-under par.

“I drove the ball well all week and didn’t really get into any trouble which helped me get into position to make some birdies,” said Anderson.

Down the stretch of the final round, crucial back-to-back birdies from Anderson on 13 and 14 forced a playoff against local Murrieta resident Brent Grant.

Coming into the final round, Grant faced a six-stroke deficit from the lead and had a front nine for the ages. At one point late holding a one-stroke tournament lead at 15-under par with six holes remaining. His front side score of six-under par 30 was pristine and included six birdies en-route to the tournament round low score of 64, a four-day total of 15-under par 273.

A par from Anderson in the sudden death playoff on the signature 18th hole earned him the 2019 California State Open Championship title.

“It feels great to win this Championship, I worked really hard the last few years and have been close in this event before and it’s really great to get the win,” said Anderson.

Low Amateur honors goes to Issei Tanabe of Los Angeles, finishing tied for tenth place at five-under par, 283, for the championship. “My putting was consistent, but what really helped me all week was my ball striking.” Tanabe said after the awards ceremony presentation conducted by SCPGA Director of Competitions, Max DeSpain. “The course (Bear Creek Golf Club) is really demanding off the tees, and it challenges all aspects of your golf game, especially when the wind picks up in the afternoons,” said Tanabe a current member of the USC Men’s golf team. Tanabe’s finish earns him an exemption into the 2020 CSO.

Earning Low PGA Professional honors is the 2001 California State Open Champion, Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club. Block finished at one-under par, 287, for the Championship.

Thank you to Logan Fondren, PGA of Yamaha, for his support all week with the scoreboards.

Special thanks go out to our great tournament partners, Titleist, Pepsi, California Canopy & Sterling Cut Glass. The SCPGA greatly appreciates host facility Bear Creek Golf Club supported by PGA Director of Golf Tim Gardner, PGA Head Professional Kim Schilling, Golf Course Superintendent Brian Jones and the Bear Creek staff for creating desirable conditions the week of the Championship.

ROUND THREE RECAP: The stage is set for the final round of the 120th California State Open (CSO) at Bear Creek Golf Club with Murrieta local Josh Anderson leading by three strokes at 13-under par after 54-holes.

Anderson and Matt Picanso of Vista shared the 36-hole co-lead and continued their duel on the front nine of the third round, both making the turn at one-under. Anderson surged down the stretch, carding a clutch eagle on the par five 14ththen wrapping up his round with a birdie on the par four 18th, Anderson’s blemish-free back nine gives him a three day total of 203.

With a two-stroke lead in the Low Amateur race is Issei Tanabe of Los Angeles, who posted a third round 71, placing him at seven-under par 209 for the championship and tied for fourth. Nipping at his heels is Murrieta resident Harrison Kingsley who closed the Low Amateur gap on Tanabe by two strokes after a three-under third round 69, finishing with a three day total of 211.

Low PGA Professional remains in the possession of 2001 California State Open Champion Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club. Block’s three day total of 215, places him at one-under par heading into tomorrow’s final round.

The 2019 overall Champion will take home $11,000, a lifetime exemption into the CSO along with an exemption into the 2019 Arizona State Open. Top 30 players and ties will be awarded an exemption into the 2020 CSO.

The final round begins tomorrow at 7:00AM with a split tee start off #1 and #10 tees. Live scoring will be available throughout the day for the last two groups, and scoring at the nines for the remainder of the field. Follow along on social media through the official Southern California accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@SCPGA).

Special thanks go out to our great tournament partners, Titleist, Pepsi, California Canopy & Sterling Cut Glass. We appreciate our host facility Bear Creek Golf Club supported by Director of Golf Tim Gardner, PGA, and Head Professional Kim Schilling, PGA.

ROUND TWO RECAP: Matt Picanco of Vista and Josh Anderson of Murrieta lead the 120th California State Open at eight-under par after the second round at Bear Creek Golf Club.

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Design presented a challenge to the talented Championship field, requiring demanding shots to compensate for steady prevailing winds and undulating greens.

Picanco’s second round five-under par, 67, bested his opening round 69 for a two-day total of 136. His second round was highlighted by a four-under stretch on his first four holes which contributed to his share of the 36-hole lead. During this stretch, Picanco rolled in an eagle on the par five 11th, followed up by back-to-back birdies on the par three 12th and par four 13th.

Anderson, 36-hole co-leader, matched his opening round 68 for a two day total of 136. The Murrieta local finished strong coming down the stretch in the second round, with three birdies on the final four holes.

Samuel Cyr of La Jolla followed up his opening round 67 with a one-under 71 in his second round. After leading the first round, Cyr finds himself in the hunt at six-under for the tournament. Cyr had a top 10 finish in the 2018 California State Open at Maderas Golf Club and finds himself two shots back from the lead.

Issei Tanabe of Los Angeles leads the way for the Amateur’s, tied for third place at six-under par 138 for the Championship. Low PGA Professional is Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club’s and 2001 California State Open Champion Michael Block sitting tied for 11th place at three-under par, 141.

With the field trimmed to the low 60 plus ties, 61 players remain following the 36-holes cut falling at four-over par. The third round will begin Thursday, June 27th at 7:00AM.

ROUND ONE RECAP: Samuel Cyr of La Jolla and Justin Kim (a) of Fullerton take the first round lead of the 2019 California State Open (CSO) that kicked off today at Bear Creek Golf Club. The State Open that dates back to 1900 has a rich history of past champions and this year features four of those past winners in the 156 player field – Bryan Martin, Michael McCabe, Michael Block, PGA & Jeff Hart, PGA.

The first of four rounds in the 72-hole Championship saw fickle weather conditions with a chilly, overcast June gloom present majority of the day and swirling winds having the Jack Nicklaus design show its teeth with just 42 players finishing at Even Par or better.

Taking advantage of the prime course conditions was Justin Kim, notching an eagle and five birdies on his way to a five-under, 67. Matching Kim was Samuel Cyr, posting his 67 with an eagle and four birdies during his first round.

A large grouping of prominent players sit clustered atop the leaderboard, including two locals from Murrieta in Josh Anderson and Brent Grant who posted a 4-under par, 68.

Currently sixteen players are within three strokes of the leaders, which leaves the door open for an exciting championship to come this week.

Notable PGA Professionals with strong first rounds are Kyle Mendoza of South Hills CC with a three-under par 69 along with Michael Mendoza of Pauma Valley CC and Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco GC with a two-under par round, 70.

The second round will commence Wednesday, June 26th beginning at 7:00AM with a 36-hole cut to be made upon the conclusion of the second round to the low 60 players & ties. Spectators are welcome to attend.

MEDIA RELEASE: In its 120th year of existence, the California State Open will be played June 25th – 28th, at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, CA. The field of 150+ players will consist of PGA Professionals, past champions, top performers in 2018 and players exempt based on performance and a number of open qualifiers. This elite group of professionals and amateurs will tee it up for the opportunity to have their name engraved on the Championship trophy alongside the likes of defending champion Andre DeDecker, the venerable Walter Hagen, first Masters winner Horton Smith, U.S. Open champion Gene Littler, PGA champion Jerry Barber, PGA Tour winners such as Dutch Harrison, Jimmy Powell, Roger Maltbie, Dennis Paulson, Greg Twiggs, Kirk Triplett, Tim Norris, Rex Caldwell, Ron Reif, and Jason Gore.

Having first been played in 1900 and considered a PGA TOUR event in the 1920’s and 30’s, the California State Open has always boasted one of the most competitive State championship fields. The Championship will commence over four days and 72-holes with a 36-hole cut to the low 60 competitors on Wednesday evening. Spectators are welcome to walk along and cheer on their favorite players at the Championship and admission is free. The California State Open is owned and operated solely by the Southern California PGA.

FORMAT:
The Championship will be a 72-hole stroke play tournament contested over four days. Following the conclusion of 36-holes, the field will be cut to the Top 60 players and ties who will play the final rounds on June 27th & June 28th with a single morning wave of starting times.

ELIGIBILITY:
Championship is open to both Professionals and Amateurs. To enter the Championship field, participants must either qualify or meet one of exemptions.

SCHEDULE

June 25 -26
Morning and Afternoon Waves
*Players will Flip Waves From Day 1 to Day 2

June 27 – 28
Morning Wave
*Subject to Change Based on Number of Participants Making the Cut

PURSE
The 2019 California State Open purse is anticipated to be exceed $75,000. This amount is based on qualifying and championship participation.
The Official Purse will be determined the week of Championship. Overall 2019 Champion is guaranteed to take home over $8,000.

Professionals making the cut (any non-PGA Member or Apprentice) will be asked to complete a W-9 or International Claim Form prior to play beginning on Friday. Forms will be available prior to play Thursday and in the scoring area.

Amateurs making the cut will earn scrip to the Bear Creek Golf Shop for use on merchandise.

Purse will be paid immediately following the event, so long as all W-9’s have been submitted. Checks take approximately two weeks to be processed, cut and received. Direct deposit is highly encouraged to expedite payout.

PRACTICE ROUNDS
The official practice round will be on Monday, June 24th which is included in the entry fee. The course will become available at 11:00 A.M., and will be an open tee (first come/first serve) basis. Please visit the golf shop if you wish to rent a golf car during your round.

Any additional practice rounds are at the availability starting June 9th and start times after 12:00PM; $75/player.

Please contact Bear Creek Golf Club at (951) 677-8631 to book your practice round.

EXEMPTIONS

• Past California State Open Champions
• Top 30 finishers from the 2018 California State Open
• Top 25 finishers from the 2019 Southern California Open
• POINTS LISTS (As of June 1, 2019) – Top 50 from the Player of the Year points list for Southern California PGA Professionals, Top 20 from other Sections, Top 10 from SCPGA Associate Professional Association (A.P.A.), Top 10 from Golden State Tour, Top 10 from SCGA, Top 10 Boys from SCPGA
• Toyota Tour Cup Series
• 2019 PGA TOUR and 2019 Web.com Tour members
• 2018 SCPGA Section, Senior Section and Assistant Champion
• Top 30 finishers from the 2018 SCPGA Section Championship
• 2018 SCGA Amateur Champion
• 2018 California Golf Association Champion
• 2018 Arizona Open Champion
• 2019 CIF Boys State Champion
• Top 3 finishers from the 2018 Inland Empire Amateur
• Host Club Individual
• Five Special Exemptions available (see note below)

The deadline date for exempt players to register is Saturday, June 15th, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. PST

** There is a June 8th deadline for Special Exemption Requests. This avenue is provided for players whose schedule and travel does not allow for Qualifying attempts or for exceptional cases only. The Committee will attempt to have the five available spaces identified and those players notified by June 17th. Those Exempt players must then register by June 21. Please forward Exemption Requests with a Resume to Max DeSpain mdespain@pgahq.com

***Players making the cut in the 2019 California State Open will be exempt from qualifying into the 2020 Southern California Open

Click Here to View CSO BlueGolf Page

Bear Creek Golf Club is tucked away in the foothills below the Santa Rosa Plateau in Murrieta, CA. It is a spectacular member-only golf club with breathtaking views and a historic signature design by Jack Nicklaus.

Established in 1982, Bear Creek has remained a prestigious course in the Inland Empire that continues to attract new members. In August of 2015, Steele Canyon Golf Club Corporation purchased the course and clubhouse and immediately raised the level of service and commitment to its members. That dedication is evident in the beautiful clubhouse renovation completed in the spring of 2016.

22640 Bear Creek Dr N.
Murrieta, CA 92562
(951) 677-8621
PGA Director of Golf: Tim Gardner, PGA