Weaver Claims Commuters Title in 85th Alameda Commuters Golf

After 54 holes of play in the 85th Alameda Commuters Golf, UC Berkeley student Michael Weaver gave the galleries something to think about when he fired 65 in the 3rd round to get to 12 under par and a 4-stroke lead. That perhaps the Commuters scoring record could be broken!

The record of 18 under par 266 is held by 2002 Commuters Champ and current PGA pro Matt Bettencourt.

Weaver did well to dazzle the galleries with his play on Sunday, but when his putt for birdie slide past the cup on 18, Weaver’s final round 66 was good enough for a 17 under par finish and 4-stroke win over Saint Mary’s freshman Jonathan De Los Reyes of Antioch.

Weaver fired rounds of 69-67-65-66—267. De Los Reyes’ play over the final 36 holes was a stellar display of crisp irons and an exceptional short game. His final round 66, although brilliant, was not enough to catch Weaver in the final round.

36-hole medalist Anders Engell, the big Norwegian and another Saint Mary's Gael, simply amazed the galleries over the final 36 holes with his booming drives and silky putter. His 10 under par 274, was enough to capture 3rd place finish in the event. 

Much buzz echoed throughout the Earl Fry course on Saturday when Foothill High School junior Nicolo' Galletti was 8 under par through 14 holes. Although bogeying 15-16, he came back and birdied 17-18 to fire an 8 under 63 for the lowest score on the Earl Fry course in the 85-year history of the Alameda Commuters golf.  Javier Sanchez fired a 9 under 62 on the Clark course in 1991. Galletti’s hot 3rd round vaulted the high school student up the leader board and his 69-74-63-71—277 was good for a 6th place finish.

1

Michael Weaver, Berkeley, CA

69-67-65-66--267

2

Jonathan De Los Reyes, Antioch, CA

69-68-68-66--271

3

Anders Engell, Moraga, CA

67-67-73-67--274

T4

Darryl Donovan, Morgan Hill, CA

70-66-69-70--275

Taylor Travis, Fremont, CA

71-69-67-68--275

T6

Eric Grimberg, Moraga, CA

72-69-67-68--276

Rick Reinsberg, Lafayette, CA

70-65-70-71--276

T8

Nicolo' Galletti, Pleasanton, CA

69-74-63-71--277

Thomas Richardson, San Jose, CA

68-71-70-68--277

T10

Alex Bungert, Elk Grove, CA

70-73-68-67--278

Weston Payne, Menlo Park, CA

74-67-69-68--278

The 25th Alameda Senior division was contested this weekend as well, as 52 of the best senior amateur golfers in Northern California came to Alameda.

In a playoff, former 1997 Commuters champion Jeff Burda of Modesto, 70-72-142, sank an 8-foot putt on the first playoff hole to beat Alamo’s Scott Anderson 75-67-142 to win the senior division. Burda, who won the Commuters title in 1997, can now add this senior title to his collection and join Gary Vanier as the only other player to take the tile in both divisions.

Alameda’s Mark Merrigan fired 77-76 to finish in the Top 30 for the 3rd consecutive year.

The awards ceremony during this year’s event had a different feel. With City of Alameda dignitaries on hand to present the awards to the players, the Alameda Commuters Committee presented two special awards that named two people as Alameda Commuters Honorary Committee inductees. Leonard Kirkley, Jr. and Norma Arnerich are both being honored for their contributions to amateur and junior golf.

Many of the players were excited this year with the REAL-TIME scoring feature that the Commuters Committee added to the Commuters website.  Players could see the scores as they were posted from their computers and hand-held devices. For all scores from the entire tournament, log on to www.alamedacommuters.org.

The Alameda Commuters Committee is extremely thankful for all the support received by the community at large. It is our community sponsors that make this tournament special.  Also, the Committee would like to thank Kemper Sports and specifically PGA professional John Vest and course superintendent Matt Wisley for their dedication in making the golf courses in great shape all four days.