Pleasanton’s Todd Fischer qualifies for Pure PGA Champions event at Pebble!!

Todd Fischer, the former PGA Tour member from Pleasanton, has qualified for his second PGA Champions Tournament, shooting a 3-under par in the Tuesday qualifier at Black Horse in the Monterey area.

Fischer turned 50 in the last month and went through a qualifier to get a spot in the Ally Challenge in Michigan two weeks ago. This week he battled through a tough qualifying event at Black Horse – a course he has played regularly, but not since the course has been renovated.

“I hadn’t played it since the remodel,” said Fischer. “I didn’t recognize a hole.”

Still he battled throughout the round and came to the 18^th hole at 3-under. Two big shots left him for a makeable birdie putt.

“I missed a three-footer for birdie that would have gotten me in at 4-under,” said Fischer. “I missed seven putts under eight feet.”

The 3-under left him in a 7-way playoff for two spots. They playoff started at the par 5, 1^st hole and it didn’t start well.

“The only fairway I missed all day was on that first playoff hole,” said Fischer.

The other six players all hit the fairway and went for the green in two. None of them found it. One was short in the bunker; one was short of the bunker and four were over the green.

Fisher was forced to lay up and he did so, hitting to 76 yards out.

“I hit my 76-yard club to one foot,” said Fischer, who tapped in for birdie, and then proceeded to watch only one of the other six get down in two. “Thanks for coming.”

Now he plays at Pebble Beach on Friday and Sunday, with a round at Poppy Hills on Saturday. He’s not only familiar will the courses but has played well on them.

“This is great,” said Fischer of playing Pebble and Poppy, teeing off a Pebble at 7:43 a.m. on Friday and Poppy at 12:15 p.m. Saturday. “I think I can do well.”