California State University Northridge Athletics
Former Matador Nick Fowlkes Captures SCGA Amateur Championship
7/10/2026 8:01:00 AM | General, Men's Golf
Fowlkes, a Stevenson Ranch native who earned All-Big West honors for the Matadors in his two seasons (2021-22, 2022-23), won the nation's second-longest continuously contested amateur championship by three shots over Cole Kim (Orange, Calif.).
Fowlkes opened the championship on July 6, carding a 2-under 69. He then posted a 3-under 68 in round two and an even-par 71 in round three. In the final round, Fowlkes started with a two-shot lead over Coy Dobson (Del Mar, Calif.). Dobson would open with a birdie on the par-5 to pull within one shot. But that's as close as it would ever get. Fowlkes responded with his own birdie on the very next hole and expanded his lead back to two shots when Dobson made a double bogey on the sixth hole.
Fowlkes' place in the field this week at the 127th SCGA Amateur Championship came by way of an exemption where the host club can pick an amateur to represent them in the event. With his dad and former Matador Ryan Fowlkes as his caddy, Fowlkes fired three birdies on the back nine, including a highlight-reel make on No. 17 that established a three-shot lead over Kim and put the championship on ice. With dozens in tow and a cart parade following him up the final fairway, Fowlkes made a routine par that would write his name in the history books.
As champion, his name will be on the same trophy that features Tiger Woods, Sahith Theegala, Patrick Cantlay, Beau Hossler and Rico Hoey. Additionally, Fowlkes receives a 10-year exemption to the SCGA Amateur Championship and, as part of the SCGA's mission to provide a pathway to the national stage, an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship.
Fowlkes becomes the second former Matador to win the SCGA Amateur Championship, joining Tim Hogarth, who captured the 2004 SCGA Amateur Championship at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles.
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