History

The LBGF, which started in 1989, has become known as one of the most professional and
well organized "festivals" with their friendly service and constant attention to detail. In 2009 there were 1,508 golfers from all over the United States and the rest of the world, who played 3,217 rounds of golf during the Festival. 115 volunteers donated over 3,000 hours to staff the tournaments.

Funds were raised for the following organizations through the Festival: $5,000 to Assistance League of Long Beach; $2,500 to Long Beach State golf teams; $1,000 to Partners of Parks. In addition, various goods and services were donated to other charity golf tournaments and community fund-raising events.

The Long Beach Golf Festival (LBGF) features nine tournaments, which include:
- Senior Amateur Championship
- Match Play Championship
- Women's City Championship
- Men's City Championship
- Crosby Memorial Junior Golf Championship
- Long Beach Open Amateur Qualifying
- Long Beach Open Charity Pro/Am
- $160,000 Long Beach Open
- Volunteers' Tournament

The following is a summary of the 2009 Long Beach Golf Festival:

19th ANNUAL SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
May 13-15; played at El Dorado Park, Skylinks and Recreation Park Golf Courses
214 participants
Championship Flight winner: Bob Valerio from Hawthorne shot 214 (-2)
As the champion, Bob Valerio received an invitation to play in the amateur field of the 2009 Long Beach Open.

84th ANNUAL MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
May 30-31 (qualifying dates); June 6, 7, 13 & 14 (match play); played at Skylinks Golf Course
133 participants
Final 36-hole match result: Marc Zien of Encinitas defeated Ji Hwan Park of San Francisco 1 Up
As the champion, Marc Zien received an invitation into the Amateur field of the 2009 Long Beach Open


79th ANNUAL WOMEN’S CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
June 18-19; played at Recreation Park and El Dorado Park Golf Courses
110 participants
Championship Flight winner: Diane Kwon of Fremont shot 143 (-3)

CROSBY MEMORIAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
June 24; played at Recreation Park 9 & 18 Golf Courses
105 participants (26 in 11 and under age flights and 79 in 12 and over age flights)

39th ANNUAL MEN’S CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
July 10-12; played at El Dorado Park, Recreation Park and Skylinks Golf Courses
374 participants
Championship Flight winner: Austin Graham of San Clemente shot 198 (-18)
As the champion, Austin Graham received an invitation to play in the amateur field of the 2009 Long Beach Open.

LONG BEACH OPEN AMATEUR QUALIFYING
July 22; played at Recreation Park Golf Course
144 participants
The following qualifiers (top 9 from field) were given invitations into the amateur field of the 2009 Long Beach Open: Scott Yeakel, Long Beach, Greg Moss, Sherman Oaks, Chris Davis, Glendora, Chris Rendler, Manhattan Beach, Raymond Gillip II, Las Vegas, NV, Alex Lyon, Henderson, NV, Andrew Gunson, Irvine, Max Homa, Valencia & Matt Fliss, Bellflower.

LONG BEACH OPEN CHARITY PRO-AM
July 29; played at El Dorado Park Golf Course
116 participants
Format: each group had 3 amateurs and 1 professional and the team played 2 best ball of the foursome
Proceeds of $5,000 benefited Assistance League of Long Beach, $2,500 was donated to the Long Beach State golf teams (men & women), and $1,000 was donated to Partners of Parks.

$160,000 LONG BEACH OPEN
July 30-August 2; played at Skylinks & El Dorado Park Golf Courses
312 participants (full field)—300 professionals and 12 amateurs
In addition to the field being full, there were 57 people on a waiting list to get in
Champion: Tyrone Van Aswegen of South Africa shot 261 (27 under par) and received the winner’s check for $29,000
27 under par breaks the tournament record of 22 under par (done 3 previous times)
Mike Ruiz of Las Vegas, NV finished at 268 in second place, seven strokes behind Van Aswegen.
Doug Garwood (2001 LB Open Champion) finished in third place at 270, 9 strokes behind the winner
Low Amateur: Michael Drake of Long Beach shot 280 (8 under par). Michael qualified for the field as the CSULB Golf Team invitee.
Long Beach Golf Festival Director Bob Chaffee presented the trophies and winner’s check to Michael Drake and Tyrone Van Aswegen at the awards ceremony.