GOLF: NEWPORT PRO-AM : Stelten’s Birdie on Playoff Hole Defeats Costa Mesa’s Parker

Ron Stelten sank a six-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole Saturday to beat Perry Parker in the Newport Pro-Am golf tournament at Newport Beach Country Club.

Stelten had four birdies and four bogeys in his round of 71 for a 36-hole total of 136. Parker, of Costa Mesa, started the day one shot back. He forced the playoff by shooting a one-under 70 that included five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey.

Both players made par on the 339-yard first hole, taking them to the second hole, a 390-yard par 4. Stelten hit his approach shot six feet from the hole and made the putt after Parker had barely missed his birdie attempt from about 40 feet.

“I didn’t think about what Perry was doing out there,” said Stelten, 34, of La Quinta. “I stuck to my own game concentrating on hitting the ball to the target. I was concerned with the process of making good quality swings and putts, knowing that the outcome would follow.”

This is Stelten’s second victory as a pro; he also won the 1989 Rolex Pro-Am in Geneva, Switzerland.

“This is the perfect way to start the year,” Stelten said. “This tournament has been the stepping stone for a lot of players, and I’m hoping to be one of the ones who goes on to make it from here. I hit a lot of good shots today and my five-iron on the second playoff hole is one that I will definitely remember.”

Parker, 1989 Newport Pro-Am champion, was trying to become the second player in the tournament’s 17 years to win twice. “The hole that won it for me in 1989 lost it for me this year,” said Parker, referring to his double bogey on No. 17. “I’m a better player this year than when I won and I’m encouraged that I can do well. I’m happy with the way I played. I’ve learned to be patient and I feel that my game is more under control.”

In the pro-am competition, pro Eric Woods and his partner, Donald Whitaker of Newport Beach Country Club, shot a best-ball round of 59 to finish first with a two-day total of 125.

Pro JC Anderson and his partner, Eugene Elling of Mesa Verde, finished one shot back at 126 and pro Robert Meyer and John Hancock of Big Canyon were third at 130.