Anderson hits closest to pin; No million dollar winners in
Gavilan College Shootout at Eagle Ridge Golf Course
GILROY – With his stomach full of knots, John Anderson made his million dollar approach to the tee box on the second hole at Eagle Ridge Golf Course for Saturday’s first-annual Gavilan College Shootout.
Anderson – who was the second of 10 finalists to get one swing at the 166-yard shot on the picturesque par-three – lined up and stroked the ball high over the fairway and the intimidating sand traps that were spread around the front of the green. His shot hit the green and rolled within 19 feet-three inches of the pin.
He did not sink the hole-in-one for the million-dollar grand prize – but his distance earned the 27-year-old golfer first place in the closest-to-pin competition. Anderson had to wait patiently as eight more participants took their whacks. But when all the distances were tabulated, Anderson’s early poke was the winner.
Although he was shooting for the million dollars, Anderson was not disappointed with his first-place prize package – which included a two-nights stay at the Crowne Plaza or Wyndham Hotel in San Jose, two San Francisco Giants tickets with VIP parking and two Oakland A’s tickets as well as several gift certificates offered by local sponsors.
“It was all for fun and to help support Gavilan College,” said Anderson, after receiving his prize bag.
Bart Krogen – who participated both days of last weekends qualifying rounds – took second place with his shot that was recorded at 21 feet-seven 1/2 inches from the pin. Krogen admitted he felt a lot of pressure – but was ecstatic with his second-place finish.
“I was just hoping to make it on the green,” said Krogen, who also earned San Francisco Giants’ tickets with VIP parking as part of his prize package. “I went up there and made it on the green. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.”
Rounding out the top five were: Floyd Garcia in third place with a distance of 23 feet-11 1/2 inches; Bill Galvin in fourth place with a distance of 24 feet-8 1/2 inches; and Donald Fisher in fifth place with a distance of 54 feet-11 1/2 inches.
Chris Jaszewski finished in sixth place with a distance of 61 feet-five 1/2 inches and Glenn Scott claimed seventh place with a distance of 75 feet-seven inches.
In addition, Eric Fydrych placed eighth after topping the ball down the decline. Both Alejandro Rodriguez and Dave Cox sent the ball out of bounds, tying for ninth place.
Rodriguez was the youngest competitor having just graduated from Gilroy High School on Friday. But golfing with an older crowd did not bother him one bit. Although he did not register a distance, Rodriguez said, “It was cool to be here.”
The first-annual event was attended by an estimated 40 friends and family of the participants – who packed around the tee box of hole number two at Eagle Ridge Golf Course.
Gavilan College Athletic Director Ron Hannon did the commentary near the tee overlooking the hole, while volunteers measured off the distance after each shot. The downhill hole proved to be a challenge with the tee box overlooking the hole. In front of the green lay sand traps and off to the right-hand side stood large trees, where a few golfers landed their balls.
“This was awesome,” Hannon said. “Great turnout, great support. It was fun. Everyone knew what it was for – to support our student-athletes.”
The closest-to-the-pin, million-dollar shootout – which had qualifying rounds at Eagle Ridge and Coyote Creek Golf Courses as well as at Garlic County Driving Range – is expected to become an annual event for Gavilan College. Hannon is hoping for more golfer participation next year once word spreads about this year’s inaugural outing – which raised more than $2,000 for the college’s athletic program.
1st place John Anderson 19′ 3″
2nd place Bart Krogen 21′ 7 1/2″
3rd place Floyd Garcia 23′ 11 1/2″
4th place Bill Galvin 24′ 8 1/2″
5th place Donald Fisher 54′ 11 1/2″
6th place Chris Jaszewski 61′ 5 1/2″
7th place Glenn Scott 75′ 7″
8th place Eric Fydrych (topped it)
9th place Alejandro Rodriguez out of bounds
Dave Cox
