Aug. 11, 2008

SAN DIEGO - Recent San Diego State graduate Jamie Puterbaugh (Carlsbad, Calif.) captured the San Diego City Amateur Golf Championship for the fourth year in a row on Saturday, winning a sudden-death playoff over Steven Kearney at Torrey Pines South Course in La Jolla, Calif. The Aztec alumnus finished with a combined 3-under-par 213 after completing regulation play with a 1-over 73. With his triumph, the Puterbaugh equaled the record for consecutive victories in the event set by Pat Duncan, Sr., from 1987-90.

Puterbaugh entered the final day of competition three shots off the pace after carding rounds of 71 and 69 the previous weekend at Balboa Golf Course. Despite a shaky 38 on the back nine on Saturday, however, the La Costa Canyon High product was able to overtake second-round leaders Shane Mason and another SDSU alumnus, Cory Segall, as both golfers stumbled to a 78 over the final 18 holes to tie for third at 1-under 215. Meanwhile, Kearney rallied from eight strokes down with a 4-under 68 to force the playoff.

On the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, Puterbaugh watched as Kearney's 12-foot birdie came up short, then calmly sank a 10-footer of his own to claim the title.

Puterbaugh was limited to just four tournaments during his senior season in 2007-08, which ended prematurely last March when he underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his right shoulder. Puterbaugh competed in 23 varsity events during his collegiate career, posting a runner-up finish at the 2007 Callaway Golf Invitational to propel the Scarlet and Black to the team title.

In other summer golf action, Aztec rising sophomore Matt Hoffenberg (Simi Valley, Calif.) tied for third place with two other players at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship last Friday in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Hoffenberg carded back-to-back rounds of 66 over the final two days to finish with a combined 6-under 274, three shots behind winner Jordan Irwin (-9, 271).