California resident Nico Bollini of Laguna Beach claimed the 2017 U.S. Open title in a one-hole playoff with early favorite Cliff Martin of Los Angeles. Both players shot 153 to earn their way to the playoff. For Martin, it is the second playoff loss in a row as Jeremy Moe of Boca Raton, Fla. claimed the 2016 title over Martin in the USHO at the Lawsonia Links in Green Lake, Wisc.
Martin has a beautiful game and there is no doubt he will have the title one of these years, but it was Bollini’s turn today. For the first USHO west of the Mississippi, it was fitting that the two California residents contest for the title in the playoff. In third was Peter Flory of Glencoe, Ill. with 154.
It was thought that Moe, who has won the previous four USHO’s might set a new record with a fifth straight victory, but he fell just short with a 157. Moe is also in the middle of a move from his years as the golf professional at Hard Scrabble Country Club in Fort Smith, Ark., to his new club in Boca Raton, Fla.
In the Open net division, Skip Platt of Keswick, Va. was first with 145. In second was John Lavendoski of Bainbridge Island, Wash., also with 145. In third was Greg Whitmer of Zion Crossroads, Va., with 152.
The 2017 Ladies Champion is Roberta Robbins of Kenmore, Wash. Sally Shiff, of Parkland, Fla., brought in the net honors.
Click here to access a photo gallery from professional photographer Ali Johnson.
Bollini, by the way, was also the low amateur and will be presented with the John Fischer II Low Amateur Award.
The weather was perfect and nearly 100 players were in the field.
Congratulations organizers and players!
