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 2007 there were 1,671 golfers from all over the United States and the rest of the world, who played 3,366 rounds of golf during the Festival. 112 volunteers donated over 3,000 hours to staff the tournaments.

Funds were raised for the following organizations through the Festival: $6,000 to Assistance League of Long Beach; $5,000 to Long Beach State golf teams. 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 2007 Long Beach Golf Festival:

17th ANNUAL SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
May 9-11; played at El Dorado Park, Skylinks and Recreation Park Golf Courses
203 participants
Championship Flight winner: Bob Valerio from Hawthorne shot 216 (even par)
As the champion, Bob Valerio received an invitation to play in the amateur field of the 2007 Long Beach Open.

82nd ANNUAL MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
June 2-3 (qualifying dates); June 9, 10, 16 & 17 (match play); played at El Dorado Park Golf Course
138 participants
Final 36-hole match result: Michael Drake of Riverside defeated Ryan Wood of Long Beach 7 & 6
As the champion, Michael Drake received an invitation into the Amateur field of the 2007 Long Beach Open.

77th ANNUAL WOMEN’S CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
June 21-22; played at El Dorado Park and Recreation Park Golf Courses
96 participants
Championship Flight winner: Jennifer Bermingham of Long Beach shot 147 (1 over par)

CROSBY MEMORIAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
June 27; played at Recreation Park 9 & 18 Golf Courses
185 participants (36 in 11 and under age flights and 149 in 12 and over age flights)

37th ANNUAL MEN’S CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
July 6-8; played at El Dorado Park, Recreation Park and Skylinks Golf Courses
385 participants
Championship Flight winner: Brett Lederer of Long Beach shot 202 (14 under par)
Lederer tied the course record of 62 at El Dorado on his way to the championship
As the champion, Brett Lederer received an invitation to play in the amateur field of the 2007 Long Beach Open which he declined because he was turning pro for the LB Open

LONG BEACH OPEN AMATEUR QUALIFYING
July 18; played at Recreation Park Golf Course
152 participants
The following qualifiers (top 8 from field) were given invitations into the amateur field of the 2007 Long Beach Open: Chris Davis, Sean Shahi, Gene Webster, Phillip Huffman, Jordan Fisher, Jeffrey Lewis, Ashun Wu, and Ryan Kelley

LONG BEACH OPEN CHARITY PRO-AM
July 25; played at El Dorado Park Golf Course
124 participants
Format: each group had 3 amateurs and 1 professional and the team played 2 best ball of the foursome
Proceeds of $6,000 benefited Assistance League of Long Beach and $5,000 was donated to the Long Beach State golf teams (men & women)

$155,000 LONG BEACH OPEN
July 26-29; 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 60 people on a waiting list to get in
Champion: Todd Vernon of San Francisco shot 269 (19 under par) and received the winner’s check for $28,000
Nick Jones of Los Angeles, Ajay Shah of Nairobi, Kenya, and Peter Sisich of Spokane, WA finished tied for second place three strokes behind the winner
Ted Oh of Torrance, Dustin White of Pueblo West, CO, and Steve Conway of Murrieta tied for third place 4 strokes behind the winner
Peter Sisich set a new course record of 62 at Skylinks while finishing in 2nd place
Low Amateur: Sean Shahi of Laguna Niguel shot 284 (4 under par). Sean qualified for the field through the LB Open Amateur Qualifying Tournament
Phil Hester, Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine, attended the awards ceremony and presented the winner’s check along with Long Beach Golf Festival Director Bob Chaffee