Ryan Ellerbrock wins APGA Farmers Insurance® Fall Series Finale

Chase Johnson wins APGA Farmers Insurance Fall Series Bonus and APGA Jeff Dailey Player of the Year Bonus

TUSTIN, CA – Following a sensational final-round 5-under-par 67, San Diego native Ryan Ellerbrock won his first APGA Tour event of the season with a three-stroke victory over the tournament’s 2021 champion Aaron Beverly at the 2023 APGA Farmers Insurance® Fall Series Finale at Tustin Ranch Golf Club. The tournament was the final of three events in the APGA Farmers Insurance Fall Series, designed to further the APGA Tour’s mission of bringing greater diversity to the game of golf and to provide additional playing and earning opportunities to APGA Tour players.  With victories in the first two Fall Series events at the APGA Farmers Insurance Cincinnati and the APGA Farmers Insurance Austin, Chase Johnson won the APGA Farmers Insurance Fall Series Bonus of $10,000.  

“I knew from yesterday it was going to be tough out there, so I just tried to stay patient. Leaving it in the right spots was key, especially with the green undulations, I managed my game well and was able to make a few putts today,” said Ellerbrock. “After losing in a playoff to Chase Johnson last month at the APGA Farmers Insurance Austin, it’s really satisfying to come back and win in my next start.”

On a day in which only five players shot under par, Ellerbrock’s five-under-par round was the lowest score by three shots over the entire field. Ellerbrock has played for several seasons on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica and PGA TOUR Canada, including a win in 2016 at the Temecula Open. Ellerbrock learned the game from his uncle, Bryan Gorman, who played on the PGA TOUR from 1991-1993. He has already earned a spot in the 2024 Farmers Insurance Invitational at Torrey Pines next January after finishing sixth in the final APGA Lexus Cup standings earlier this year.

“As a San Diego native, I’m super excited to play in the APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational, I played in the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines and a lot of other tournaments as well,” said Ellerbrock. “I can’t wait to compete out there again in front of my friends and family.”

With the 2023 APGA Tour season now concluded, Johnson finished at the top of the Jeff Dailey Award standings, which goes to the APGA Tour member who earns the most combined points in APGA Tour competition throughout the Lexus Cup season, the APGA Farmers Insurance Fall Series, and two Cisco Invitational events. The award, which is named after former Farmers Insurance CEO Jeff Dailey in recognition of his long-time support of the APGA Tour, includes a $25,000 bonus. Johnson edged Marcus Byrd, who also enjoyed a stellar season with four victories of his own.

“I am so thankful to have the APGA Tour available to me this season as a way to improve my game both physically and mentally,” Johnson said. “With support from companies like Farmers, the courses we play, and the competition against a group of fantastic players, the APGA Tour has been an incredible learning experience and building block for me this year. It’s given me confidence. It’s put me in contention and helped me learn to finish tournaments under pressure. Thanks to the support from tournament purses and bonuses like the Farmers Fall Series and the Jeff Dailey Award, I have the financial backing and support to chase my dream of playing full-time on the PGA TOUR.”

Johnson’s monster year on the APGA Tour included three victories during a season in which the 27-year-old finished either first or second in eight of nine starts.  Johnson made the cut at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship on the PGA TOUR and is currently playing again on the PGA TOUR at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, where he is currently above the cut line again following the opening round.

Johnson’s finishes on the APGA Tour this year: 

The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization with the mission to bring greater diversity to the game of golf. 

Leading up to the Fall Series Finale, the APGA Foundation hosted a golf clinic for underserved youth on November 5 at Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles. The day included a mental health and wellness discussion run by clinically trained personnel, a career development program with the APGA Foundation, and a fun-filled golf clinic conducted by APGA Tour professionals. Youth ages 13-17 attended and were asked to write an essay on the importance of mental health and well-being for the opportunity to earn a scholarship.

“We launched the APGA Tour in 2010 thanks to a $10,000 contribution that came from Farmers Insurance and through the support of Jeff Dailey,” said APGA Tour CEO Ken Bentley. “The APGA Tour has made incredible progress over the years and Jeff has been a catalyst of our momentum and success. As we look toward the future, we want to make sure that his impact on our tour isn’t forgotten. Having this award in his name is fitting and will serve as a reminder that with the sustained help of dedicated and passionate supporters, change can happen.”

APGA TOUR 2023 SCHEDULE/RESULTS

ABOUT THE APGA TOUR

The APGA Tour was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization with the mission to bring greater diversity to the game of golf. The APGA Tour Board of Directors works to accomplish this by hosting and operating professional golf tournaments, player development programs, mentoring programs and by introducing the game to inner city young people. In addition to conducting an expected 18 tournaments awarding close to $1 million in prize and bonus money in 2023, the APGA has organized a Player Development Program to aid young minority golfers as they work to chase their goals in professional golf.