Joshua Warthen, who won the 2006 Ventura County Championship, recently competed in the finals of the Golf Channel's "Big Break, Mesquite," competition.

Warthen, who played golf at Arroyo Grande High and San Diego State, squared off with Brian Kontak of Phoenix in the 18-hole championship match finale. At stake was an exemption into a PGA Tour event, the 2008 Mayakoba Golf Classic.

The former Aztec pulled a huge upset over Hiroshi Matsuo in the semifinals to reach the championship event, but Warthen was unable to keep the momentum going, losing in the final event 5 and 4.

While he had hoped to win, making the final was a big accomplishment for Warthen, who was the least experienced player in the field. He only started his professional career last October, winning the first event he played on the California Players Tour, a tour started by former Ventura High golfer Zack King.

"I feel like I have this talent for a reason and that's why I'm going for it," Warthen said.

Double eagle: Bruce Foy scored a double eagle on the par-5, 521-yard eighth hole at Elkins Ranch Golf Course, knocking it in the hole from 232 yards out.

His big moment was witnessed by Kenton Stafford, Pat Lever and Steve Haynes.

Hole-in-one report: Daryl Holder of Oxnard recorded his first hole in one, acing the 170-yard fifth hole at Saticoy Regional Golf Course.

The shot occurred during the regular weekly play of the Saticoy Senior Men's Golf Club. Holder used a 5-wood for his big shot, which was witnessed by Jerald Patterson, Dwayne Zukowski and Mike Maldonado.

Golf clinic: Los Robles Golf Course is offering 90-minute practice sessions for men, women and juniors for just $20 per session during the holiday season.

All levels of golfing ability are welcome to attend.

Similar to circuit training at the gym, these "golf workout" sessions will include six different stations of guided practice: putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play, 30-yard shots and driving.

The dates and times for juniors are: Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Saturday, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 3, 1:30 p.m. and Jan. 5, 11:30 a.m. The dates and times for family sessions are: Thursday, noon, Saturday, 10 a.m., Thursday, noon, Saturday, 10 a.m., Jan. 3, noon, Jan. 5, 10 a.m.

Sign up by e-mailing Sally Quinlan at Sally@vcjga.com. Or go to Los Robles and sign your name in the maroon binder behind the counter. Payment is due when you arrive for the session.

River Ridge happenings: Chad Wright and the Ventura County Junior Golf's First Tee program are holding two "Winter Break Golf Camps" at River Ridge Golf Course.

The first camp runs today through Friday and the other is Jan 2-4. Both camps are 2 to 5 p.m. Cost is $139 and the camp will include instruction in all aspects of the game. It will feature a 7-to-1 student-to-coach ratio. Sign up at www.vcjga.com/academy.

River Ridge is also hosting a tournament on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3. It will be a 27-hole, Ryder Cup-format tournament at Victoria Lakes Golf Course. It will feature a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start, so all competitors can be home in time to watch the big game.

New members welcome: The Soule Senior Men's Club is always looking for new members.

Membership in the Soule Seniors is open to all men 55 or over, regardless of skill level. Play is held each Monday, or on Wednesday when a holiday falls on Monday.

Those interested should contact president Ray Fraker at 649-9064 or member chairman Chris Beckett at 646-3601.