ORANGE COUNTY AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP : For McDonald, Wait Was Worth it

John McDonald was relaxed for most of Monday as he competed in the first Orange County Amateur Golf Championship, which was played at the Pacific Golf Course in San Clemente.

McDonald had battled strong winds and 27 holes, many of them with narrow, hilly fairways, to shoot a 2-over-par 110.

But when he was finished playing, things began to get tense. McDonald completed his rounds at about 4:30 p.m. but had to wait almost 2 1/2 hours before he could hold the champion’s cup in his hands.

Part of the delay was because he was in the third group to finish. In addition, tournament officials took an extra hour to double- and triple-check several scorecards.

“I wasn’t nervous all day,” said the 31-year-old McDonald while he was sitting in the clubhouse. “But now I am. I hate this waiting. It’s harder on me than playing.”

McDonald’s victory came in part because of his accurate drives and his solid short game, but also because he had something of a home-course advantage.

He is a member at Pacific Golf Course and won the club championship in 1988. He finished second last year and again will pursue the title in two weeks.

“I knew I had a pretty good chance here,” McDonald said. “This course isn’t one you just come out and tear up. This is a hard course to play the first time.”

That point was proven as second place went to Tom vonGremp, who shot a 6-over 114. VonGremp is also a member at Pacific.

John Adams of San Clemente and John Lovett of Escondido tied for third at 8-over 116. Lance Moorwood of Mission Viejo and Mike Orren of El Toro tied for fifth at 117.

James Mohon of Seal Beach was the leader after the first 18 holes, but faulted on the third nine. He opened with a 2-under 34 on the Muirfield nine. He struggled during a 2-over 38 on the Royal Lytham nine, but was even-par 72, and held a one-shot lead over McDonald, who had opened with 35-38.

McDonald shot a 1-over 37 on the Carnoustie nine as winds increased to almost 25 m.p.h. Scores went up as well.

Mohon’s score swelled to a 46 on the final nine, and he finished in seventh place at 118.

McDonald, a general contractor, didn’t plan on playing in the tournament but changed his mind Sunday when a spot was offered to him.

He then gave his construction crew the day off and took a shot.

On his first hole, he missed an 18-inch birdie putt, but came back to make a 25-footer for a birdie on the second hole. He finished the 27 holes with four birdies and six bogeys.