**************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

96th Annual Ernest Pieper Jr.

Santa Clara County Championship

San Jose Country Club – June 4-5, 2022

 

This tournament is appropriately named for Ernie Pieper Jr. Ernie hoisted the Victors trophy 15 times spanning 6 decades. (1929-1970). This Championship was part of a long list of Ernie’s victories which spanned from the 1929 California State Junior Championship, to two California State Amateur Championships, 1941,1944. Bobby Jones was so impressed with Ernie that in 1935 he sent a telegram inviting Ernie to his invitational in Augusta.  Ernie won various other prestigious amateur events in California, which also included 4 senior NCGA Senior championships. Sixty years of winning championships is legendary.

 

The title “Legend” should never be used too loosely.  In this case, we use it appropriately when talking about Ernest Pieper Jr.

 

Many great players have added this event to their golf resume over the years.  Congressman Don Edwards 1935,1936,1938.  California Golf Hall of Fame members, Jack Bariteau and Hank Lucente.  Jack Lovegren and Eli Bariteau.  Professional football great John Brodie.  PGA Touring Professionals, Ron Cerrudo, & Forrest Fezzler. Current member champions include; Gary Vandeweghe, 1974, Greg Galasso – 4 year consecutive Champion 1992-1995, Joseph Bramlett, 2003,2004,2006* (*tournament record 199). The Tournament record of 201 set by Jack Lovegren in 1957 held strong for some 50 years until Joseph Bramlett set the new bar at a sizzling 11 under par 199.  Jay Myers, 2009, 2011 is SJCC latest member to dawn the title.   Senior member champions include, Gary Vandeweghe, Clyde Berg, Bob Amerian and Ric Jay. Ernie’s son Frank Pieper hoisted his dads name sake trophy as well in 2007.

 

Play your best, but it wouldn’t hurt to seek out some local advice. So if you hit it far left on number six this weekend, don’t be dismayed, you are now in Ernie’s alley. Many a birdie has been made from there. 

 

Best of luck, and we wish you all a champions success this weekend.

 

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

59th Anniversary of Dick Lotz Final Round 59

 

Lotz was born in Oakland, California. Along with his older brother John, he developed his game under the tutelage of noted black golf instructor Lucius Bateman whose other students included PGA Tour winners Don Whitt, John McMullin, and Tony Lema.

 

Lotz attended San Mateo Junior College (1962–1963) and was a member of the golf team. He was the individual medalist at the California Community College Championship. He shot a record-breaking 59 in the final round of the 1963 Santa Clara County Golf Championship, which still stands. As an amateur, Lotz captured the 1960 and 1963 Alameda Commuters golf tournament, 1961 and 1962 California State Fair events, the 1962 and 1963 Stanford Invitationals, 1963 Oakland City, 1963 Santa Clara County championship, 1963 Far Western Junior Intercollegiate championship, and most notably, the 1962 California State Amateur. In 1963, his final year as an amateur, Lotz came within one stroke of becoming the first amateur since Gene Littler in 1954 and Doug Sanders in 1956, to win on the PGA Tour. He was victorious as an amateur that year in a Sectional Stroke Play tournament. Before declaring their intention to turn professional, both Lotz brothers were ranked among the nation's Top Ten Amateurs in 1963 by Golf Digest magazine. He and his brother both turned professional in 1963.

 

Lotz played on the PGA Tour from 1964–1978. Among his victories were three official events, the 1969 Alameda Open, the 1970 Kemper Open and the 1970 Monsanto Open. Among the unofficial professional tournaments Lotz captured were the Chales Schultz Pro-Am Invitational, the 1972 Plantation Classic in North Carolina, the 1985 Northern California PGA Match and Medal championship, and the 1985 Blackhawk Invitational.

 

Lotz's career year was 1970 when he won twice, finished second at the San Antonio Open Invitational, and earned five other top ten finishes to rank 7th on the year's official money list. That performance earned Lotz Golf Digest's Most Improved Golfer award, along with selection by its editorial panel of experts of those most likely to capture a major in 1971. In similar fashion, Golf Magazine named Lotz to its PGA All-American Team. His best performance in a major also came in 1970 – a T-8 at the PGA Championship.

 

After reaching the age of 50 in 1992, Lotz joined the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour). His best finish in this venue was a T-4 at the 1994 Bank of Boston Senior Classic.

 

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

96th Annual Ernest Pieper Jr.

Santa Clara County Championship

San Jose Country Club – June 4-5, 2022

 

Championship Division

• Must have a verifiable May Handicap Index not greater than 4.3 or by Special Invitation
• 54-Hole Stroke Play Competition at Scratch
• Limited to first 80 qualified paid entries
• 1st Round (Saturday, Tee Times begin at 7:00 am) Cut to the Low 45 and ties
• 2nd Round (Sunday, Tee Times begin at 7:00 am) Cut to the Low 18 and ties
• Final Round (Sunday, Tee Times begin approximately 1:30pm)
• Entry Fee is $250 and includes Green Fees, Range Balls, Prize Fund and Lunch/Dinner
• 150 NCGA Points and $600 Golf Shop Credit (Based on full field) to the Champion* (depending on the number of entries)

 

Senior and Super Senior Championship Division

• Seniors must be at least 55 years of age as of June 4th, 2022
• Super Seniors must be at least 65 years of age as of June 4th, 2022
• Must have a verifiable May Handicap Index not greater than 6.3 or by Special Invitation
• Guaranteed 36-Hole Stroke Play Competition at Scratch – No Cut
• Limited to first 40 qualified paid entries
• 1st Round (Saturday, Tee Times begin approximately at 12pm)
• Final Round (Sunday, Tee Times begin approximately at 10:30am)
• Entry Fee is $250 and includes Green Fees, Range Balls, Prize Fund
• Senior Flight 100 NCGA Points and $400 Golf Shop Credit (based on full field) to the Champion* (depending on the number of entries)

 

Pace of play guidelines will be in effect

Complimentary Player Hot Dog or Hamburger on Saturday & Sunday

Complimentary Range Balls on Saturday and Sunday

Golf Cart use is optional at a cost of $20 per Round

 

Entry deadline: Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 at 5pm

Applications will be evaluated by the SJCC Professional Staff

Official list of participants will be released Saturday, May 28th, 2022

Refund Policy: No refunds unless cancellation made by Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 5pm

Dress Code: Players must wear Slacks or Bermuda length shorts, Shirts with a Collar and Golf Shoes with soft spikes. No cargo shorts.

 

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

2021 Champion ~ Brian Ma (207)

2021 Senior Champion ~ Greg Galasso (142)

2021 Super Senior Champion ~ Jeff Burda (142)

Ernest Pieper Jr.

Santa Clara County Champion

1929, 1931-33, 1937, 1940, 1943-44, 1946, 1949, 1952, 1959, 1967-68, 1970