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 2011 there were 1,450 golfers from all over the United States and the rest of the world, who played 3,122 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: $3,000 to Assistance League of Long Beach; $2,000 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 2011 Long Beach Golf Festival:

21st ANNUAL SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
May 16-18; played at El Dorado Park, Skylinks and Recreation Park Golf Courses
222 participants
Championship Flight winner: Mel Collins, Jr. from Long Beach shot 217 (+1)
As the champion, Mel Collins, Jr. received an invitation to play in the amateur field of the 2011 Long Beach Open.

86th ANNUAL MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
June 4-5 (qualifying dates); June 11, 12, 18 & 19 (match play); played at Skylinks Golf Course
106 participants
Final 36-hole match result: Stephen Edman of Riverside defeated Tyler Paul of Long Beach 4 & 3
As the champion, Stephen Edman received an invitation into the Amateur field of the 2011 Long Beach Open


81st ANNUAL WOMEN’S CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
June 23-24; played at Recreation Park and El Dorado Park Golf Courses
80 participants
Championship Flight winner: Ani Gulugian of Irvine shot 145 (-1)

CROSBY MEMORIAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
June 29; played at Recreation Park 9 & 18 Golf Courses
131 participants (25 in 11 and under age flights and 106 in 12 and over age flights)

41st ANNUAL MEN’S CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
July 8-10; played at El Dorado Park, Recreation Park and Skylinks Golf Courses
373 participants
Championship Flight winner: Derek Zellmer of Huntington Beach shot 208(-8)
As the champion, Derek Zellmer received an invitation to play in the amateur field of the 2011 Long Beach Open.

LONG BEACH OPEN AMATEUR QUALIFYING
July 20; played at Recreation Park Golf Course
122 participants
The following qualifiers (top 7 from field) were given invitations into the amateur field of the 2011 Long Beach Open: Bruce Doucett, Jr., Big.Bear Lake; Graham Brockington, Laguna Niguel; Ryan Knapp, Costa Mesa; Jake Sarnoff, Manhattan Beach; Jordan Talah, Pomona; Joey Kron, Coto de Caza and Issei Suenaga, Dove Canyon.

LONG BEACH OPEN CHARITY PRO-AM
July 27; played at El Dorado Park Golf Course
104 participants
Format: each group had 3 amateurs and 1 professional and the team played 2 best ball of the foursome
Proceeds of $3,000 benefited Assistance League of Long Beach, $2,000 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 28-31; 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 35 people on a waiting list to get in
Champion: Eric Meichtry of Murrieta shot 270 (18 under par) and received the winner’s check for $29,000
Armando Favela of Chula Vista, Brian Locke of Los Angeles, Garrett Sapp of Cerritos and Kenny Kim of Bellflower finished at 270, tying for second place, two strokes behind Meichtry.
Low Amateur: Xander Schauffele of San Diego shot 275 (13 under par). Xander 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 Xander Schauffele and Eric Meichtry at the awards ceremony.