Welcome to our weekly look into the Sacramento area golf scene where we focus on the local stories, hole-in-ones, tournament results and human interest pieces of everyday golfers in our local community. If you have a story suggestion or would like to submit your content or accomplishments, email Jennifer Morton at jmorton@hagginoaks.com.
Rocklinâs Own Walk-On Champion Shows Perseverance: Sam Harned Wins Collegiate Championship
Today’s article is written by Marty James. Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
It was a tough first few weeks of college for Sam Harned, a walk-on for menâs golf at the University of Nevada, Reno.
It was the start of the season for the Wolf Pack, the fall of 2015, and Sam Harned, a freshman, questioned himself and his game, saying, âI felt like I didnât belong at first. I did get down on myself a little bit when I wasnât playing well.â
He was persistent, emailing Jacob Wilner, the Wolf Packâs head coach, to see about getting a try-out.
âItâs a lot of hard work,â said Harned. âIt was practice, whether it was just hitting balls or going out and playing. It takes a lot of hours.â
He heard from Wilner.
âHe told me it would be difficult,â Harned recalled. âHe was like, âGo out there and show me that you can play. You have to compete.â â
Harned, a graduate of Rocklin High School in Placer County, realized pretty quickly that he needed to turn things around and bring his scores down if he had any chance at all to possibly make the team, based on his play in tryouts. He felt as if he did not play very well during the first few qualifying rounds.
âIt was kind of nerve-wracking,â Harned said. âI didnât know what to expect, so it was more of going out and seeing what I could do. I was the small kid out of the group. It was tough.â
Harned did not give up. He stayed with it, believing in himself, trusting his play, working hard, spending as much time as he could around the game, the driving range and golf course.
Read Sam’s full story of how he has risen from a walk-on player for the University of Nevada, Reno’s Wolf Pack to their team captain this season. See how his perseverance and dedication led to him qualifying for the 2019 U.S. Amateur Championship in August in Pinehurst and more here: https://www.hagginoaks.com/blog/rocklins-own-walk-on-champion-shows-perseverance-sam-harned-wins-collegiate-championship/
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Richie Gibbs Named 2019 Morton Golf Foundation Volunteer of the Year
Since the beginning of the Morton Golf Foundation in 2009, Richie Gibbs has been a Volunteer Leader. With every event and every fundraiser, Richie is the first one to say âWhatâs next?â
For the past 7 years (since he has been 9 years old) Richie has been on Hole #14 at Morton Golf Foundationâs largest fundraiser âGolf & Guitarsâ hitting drives.
Richie is one volunteer that no matter what the task he is âinâ for it all.
We are very proud to award Richie Gibbs with the 2019 âVolunteer of the Yearâ award from Morton Golf Foundation.
Continue to look for Richie around Morton Golf Foundation events. Richie has a lot more to give.
Wild week for the FalconsâŠ
CB came in second in the CAL #1 Tournament at Teal Bend GC on Monday shooting a solid 425 to Vista Del Lagoâs 415. The Falcons are closing in and getting better. Anna Horan â21 fired a stellar 78, breaking 80 for the first time in her competitive career. Outstanding Anna! Not to be outdone Alison Oliviera â22 ripped an 80 to set her career-low as well. Most impressive by these ladies was their overall feeling that they can still do better, their competitive spirt should be admired.
On Thursday the Falcons learned that sometimes things don’t go as planned but in spite of that they can preserver in an important match. The Falcons and Rio Raiders tangled again, it would be a pivotal match. These two play close matches all the time. Thursday was no exception. Both teams played a scruffy match below their high standards, but CB won out. With that win CB is guaranteed a place in the Section tournament. This makes four years in a row! 227 to 235 was the score, it was not pretty. The Falcons learned you just keep grinding and on a given day you just have to be the best on the course, not the best in the world.
There was a lot of team spirit, support for each other and a sigh of relief. Good on ya girls!
Our best is yet to come, check us out sometime!
Bryan Bedwell shot a hole-in-one on the 14th hole on the Alister Mackenzie Golf Course here at Haggin Oaks. He used a 5 iron, hit it 190 yards and with a couple of hops, the ball rolled right into the hole! Rumor has it he may have even bought a car to celebrate…
Dan Teater made a hole-in-one during the Jones’n for the Cure charity golf tournament on hole #6 here at Haggin Oaks. Not only was this an incredible feat, but couldn’t be more perfect as it was done while playing for a great cause.
- Tuesday, October 1, 2019 – TaylorMade Tuesdays Free Ball Fittings – 10 am – 2 pm – Haggin Oaks Golf Complex – 3645 Fulton Avenue, Sacramento, CA
- Wednesday, October 2, 2019 – Weekly What’s New in Golf Facebook Live With Ken & Jen – 10 am – 10:30 am – Haggin Oaks Golf Complex Facebook Page which you can find here.
- Friday, October 4, 2019 & Saturday, October 5, 2010- Criquet Golf Apparel launch Event – 11 am – 2:00 pm each day – Haggin Oaks Golf Complex – 3645 Fulton Avenue, Sacramento, CA
- Saturday, October 5, 2019 –Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Demo Day – 11 am – 2:00 pm – Haggin Oaks Driving Range – 3645 Fulton Avenue, Sacramento, CA
- Sunday, September 29, 2019 – Player$ Golf Tour @ Haggin oaks – Starts at 10:30 am – Haggin Oaks Golf Complex – 3645 Fulton Avenue, Sacramento, CA – For membership and entry information, call the Director of Golf at 775-852- 4653 or visit the website at www.theplayersgolftour.com.
