Amateur golfer’s 18th-hole collapse sees him miss out in most brutal way possible
By Matt Chivers
Qualifying for a tournament can be as stressful as contending at a tournament. (Or so we’ve heard.)
Open qualifiers and US Open qualifiers are regarded as some of the most agonising days on the golf calendar.
This is also true in the life of an amateur golfer, and one competitor in particular succumbed to the pressures of qualification for a prestigious event in America.
Dean Chavez of Ontario was in Position A to make the cut for the South California Mid-Amateur Championship at Goose Creek.
Chavez was 4-under through 14 holes, and the minimum qualifying score proved to be 4-over.
After making par on 15, he dropped three shots at 16 and 17. No need to panic, he could still make nine down the last and be safely in.
But then…
Yes, Chavez made a 12 on the 466-yard par-4 to miss by three.
According to a spectator who was present, Chavez’s tee shot found the water that runs down the right-hand side of the fairway. He took his drop then went for the green, only to find the water again.
His fifth shot cleared the water, but embedded in a penalty area, so Chavez returned to take another drop, but found the water again.
His next shot went left of the green, from where he chipped on and two-putted.
Eat your heart out, Jean van de Velde.
What’s the worst meltdown you’ve ever seen at your club? Tweet us and let us know!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
