Hamamoto Wins Back-to-Back Southwest PGA Assistant Professional Championships

After winning last year’s championship, J.T. Hamamoto didn’t get to compete in the national championship in Florida because he forgot to register for that portion of the entry. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice and assured himself a spot in the national field after winning his second consecutive Southwest PGA Assistant Professional Championship held at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix, Ariz.

“After I won last year I didn’t get to go the national championship because I forgot to sign up (for the national qualifier),” said Hamamoto. “So this year I wanted to go really bad so I focused hard on winning and I’m happy I was able to come away with the victory and qualify for the national championship.”

Hamamoto, 33, PGA Apprentice Assistant Golf Professional at The Country Club at DC Ranch, began the final round tied in second place, one shot behind the co-leaders. He got off to a fast start with a birdie on the first hole and followed it up with birdies at Nos. 6 and 9. He made the turn with a 3-under-par 33 and was now atop the leaderboard.

“I just came out thinking I needed to birdie every hole I could and not give any back,” Hamamoto said. “I did make one bogey but every time I made a birdie I kept telling myself ‘I need one more. I need one more.’ That was my mindset all day today.”

Playing one group in front of Hamamoto was Michael Hopper, who also made the turn with a 3-under-par 33. Hopper made birdies on Nos. 1, 5 and 8 and was one shot behind Hamamoto heading to the back nine.

Hopper, 33, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Lookout Mountain G.C., continued his hot play on the back nine making birdies at Nos. 10, 12 and 15 and although not aware, was in lead by one shot after Hamamoto made bogey at No. 11 and birdies at Nos. 12 and 13.

“I played really well today,” said Hopper. “I only missed two greens all day and I could have gone really low if I made a couple putts.  Coming in the final round I was two down so the number I thought I needed to shoot was 6-under par, which I actually got it to with three holes to play.”

After both Hamamoto and Hopper made pars on the 16th and 17th holes, in the end, the championship came down to the par-4 18th hole.

First to 18 was Hopper and after hitting a perfect drive, hit his approach shot in the greenside bunker and was left with a difficult downslope lie. After a three-putt, that included a missed one-footer, Hopper ended his round with a double-bogey 6.

“On 18 I hit a perfect drive and had 167 yards to the hole and just hit a terrible 8-iron that I tried to hit too hard,” Hopper said. “I really thought I needed another birdie. I probably should have just hit an easy 7-iron and went for the center of the green. My brain was kind of scrambled eggs at that point and I had to sweat out those last two groups.”

The experience for Hamamoto at No. 18 was entirely different. After a perfect drive, he hit his approach to about 10 feet and made the birdie putt to end his round with a 5-under par 67, which was the low round of the Championship.

“After I missed a makeable birdie putt on No. 17 I thought I needed at least one more birdie just to get in a playoff and give myself the best chance,” said Hamamoto. “I hit it really close on 18 and made the birdie which was a great way to finish.”

Hamamoto finished the 36-hole championship with a total of 136 (-8). His margin of victory was two better than the runner-up Hopper, who finished with a final round 68 and earned the coveted final spot into the national Championship.

“I really had to sweat it out with those last two groups,” said Hopper. “In the end though 4-under was good enough to make the national championship and I’m super excited about returning to Florida to compete.”

Hamamoto earned $2000 for the victory and will make his first appearance in the national championship in November.

“I’m really excited to go to the national championship,” said Hamamoto. “I haven’t played in that many national events so qualifying for the national assistant championship is huge and I’m really looking forward to it.”

After a final round 70, Alex Gaugert, 25, PGA Apprentice Assistant Golf Professional at Tonto Verde Golf Club, finished tied for third with first round co-leader Luke Hemelstrand. Gaugert earned the first alternate spot (from the Southwest PGA) in a playoff for the national Championship.

Hemelstrand, 32, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Desert Mountain, carded a final round 73 and will be the second alternate from the Southwest PGA.

The third and final alternate spot went to first round co-leader Ryan Mahoney, 33, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Troon North G.C., who finished the final round with a 2-over-par 74.

The Southwest PGA National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship served as a qualifier for the 41st National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. The top two finishers earned a spot into the 41st National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, scheduled to take place November 9-12, 2017 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.