Agostini on Golf: Del Rio's Lowe wins title

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Consistency over the long haul pays off in golf.

Mitch Lowe, the director of instruction at Del Rio Country Club, is a case in point. Lowe, 42, clinched his third Northern California PGA points title earlier this month, though he won only once this year.

"I need to start putting together these years and quit spacing them out," Lowe said.

Lowe's long-term quality, however, speaks to his talent. The NCPGA's series of Monday tournaments for its club professionals are not exactly high-pressure events when compared to the spotlighted stage of the PGA Tour. Then again, each one of these players are gifted ball-strikers and tough competitors. It's part of their jobs.

Lowe won the NCPGA points title in 2000, 2005 and this year. He combined one victory, the NCPGA Stroke Play title at Mayacama near Santa Rosa, with a slew of top-five finishes.

Perhaps his biggest exposure, however, was the putt he holed on The Golf Channel to qualify for the PGA Championship. He survived a playoff at the PGA Pro National in New Mexico and became one of 20 club pros to advance to the year's final major.

"I wasn't great at any point this year, but I was consistent," Lowe said. "I had a streak where I had a predictable ball flight where I knew where the ball was going and I kept it in play. I also putted better. I got a tip from Laird Small at Pebble Beach that also helped my putting."

The rewards for a points title are noteworthy. Lowe has earned exemptions to his fourth AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, his third Reno-Tahoe Open, the Stonebrae Classic on the Nationside Tour and, possibly, the Callaway event in November in Monterey.

Lowe, raised in Boise, Idaho, has made the valley his home since his golf years at the University of the Pacific. The former mini-tour pro centers his focus these days on his family and his instruction at Del Rio. He still loves the competition, of course, and he can't wait for a busier schedule in 2010.

"I'm more focused during my practice time. It's just harder to find the time to practice," he said. "I know I can do a little better and make the cut and see what happens."

THE SHAG BAG -- Pat Kelley and golf pro Ted Mills, the hosts of "The Golf Guys" Saturday morning show on ESPN Radio (AM 970), have been named the Sports Media Persons of the Year by the Northern California PGA. Another award-winner is Beyer High graduate Eric Lippert, the Associate Apprentice of the Year, for his work at Del Monte in Monterey. They'll be honored at the NCPGA's annual meeting Dec. 6 at Stockton CC. ...

Turlock CC was the host last week for the Northern California Golf Association Valley Amateur won by Steven Chung of Morgan Creek (67-66 -- 133) for the second straight year. Turlock High's Paul Smith (71-73 -- 144) tied for 10th. In the senior division, Modesto's Jeff Burda (74-74 -- 148) tied for second, one stroke behind winner and Sacramento dentist Herb Jensen. Rob Thompson of Merced (75-75 -- 180) tied for fourth. ...

Marissa Emmons shot 74, one better than Chelsea Horan and five better than Annie Fei, to win the 18-hole Larry Keith Junior Golf Tournament last weekend at St. Stanislaus. All three top finishers are students at Pitman High. The tournament honors the memory of the longtime supporter of the practice center and nine-hole course on Crows Landing Road. A $500 scholarship was awarded to Pitman graduate Agape Lipata last year through the tournament. ...

A limited number of tickets are still available for the U.S. Open, scheduled for next June 17-20 at Pebble Beach. All championship rounds for the Open have been sold out for the past 23 years. A nice perk: Juniors 12 and younger will be admitted free of charge on any day when accompanied by a paid adult ticket holder. There is a maximum of two junior tickets per one adult ticket. Tickets for juniors 13-to-17 will be discounted on-site. Visit ticketquestions@usga.org or call (800) 698-0661.

Bee staff writer Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com or 578-2302.