McCarthy Takes City Men’s

Patrick McCarthy Wins Second Straight City Mens Championship

Patrick McCarthy shot a bogey-free 2-under-par-70 in the closing round post an easy five-shot victory for his second straight title in the Greater Albuquerque City Mens Championship.

James Gehrke closed with a 69 and Chandler Smith-Stetson had a 70 to tie for second and 11 under in the 54-hole event.

“It was a lot different this year,” said McCarthy, a 20-year-old graduate of St. Pius High who will be a junior at Missouri Western State in the fall. “I just played steady and solid and was able to protect the lead. I didn’t really think about how anyone else on the course was doing.

“I think winning last year really helped. But I was glad I didn’t need another finish like that to win”.

Last year, McCarthy drained a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory in the City Mens Championship over two others. This year, he led from the start, shooting a 6-under-par 66 in Friday’s opening round at Ladera and firing a 7-under-65 on Saturday at Los Altos to take a five-shot lead into the final round.

Gehrke, playing one group in front of McCarthy, entered the final round seven shots back but closed to within three after a 33 on the front nine on Sunday,

“But I started to struggle a little bit on the back nine, and missed three straight greens. I got up-and-down on all three, but could never make a run.” said Gehrke, 29.

McCarthy, who won three college tournaments this past season, has worked at Arroyo del Oso for seven years. The event’s Mark “Ticky” Smith Trophy — engraved with winner of every tournament since it was first held in 1941 — was moved from Los Altos to Arroyo after McCarthy’s victory last year.

“I don’t know,” McCarthy said with a grin, when asked if the trophy will remain at Arroyo. “I sure hope so. It’s a great feeling to see it there, and to see all the names on it.”

Steven A. Tapia won the President’s flight with a three-day total of 6-over, two shots better than Dominic J. Sanchez.

Scott Belonge won the Senior Championship Flight, finishing at 7-under, four shots better than Ray Byrne.

Wayne Luco and Clark Sonnenberg won their respective net flights.

Here is the full leaderboard from the Championship Flight. More results from the City Men’s Championship can be found here.