Encinitas Reader Neil O'Connor Wins Patch's March Madness Picks Contest

Update: Wednesday, April 10, 9:21 a.m.

We have a winner! Congratulations to Neil O'Connor, an Encinitas Patch reader, who by virtue of having the closest total points tiebreaker, wins a free golf outing for four people at Castle Creek Golf Course, a $264 value.

O'Connor was one of 12 people to successfully predict that the Louisville Cardinals would advance to the Final Game and was one of five contestants to predict that they would cut down the nets in Atlanta!

His tiebreaker score of 141 edged out Randy Engel by one, to win. The actual amount of points in the riveting, high-scoring, final game was 158.

Stephen Wilkinson was the only contestant to predict more than one team in the Final Four, also having Syracuse joining Louisville. However, his prediction of Georgetown as National Champions prevented him from winning.

Thanks to all who participated, and special thanks to Castle Creek Golf Course for donating such a generous prize.

Update: Tuesday, March 26:

With one weekend gone in the NCAA Tournament, the upsets are coming fast and furious. America's new darling, Florida Gulf Coast, became the first No. 15 seed to advance to the regional semifinals. They knocked out No. 2 Georgetown, who two entrants had winning the tournament.

Gonzaga, also a popular pick to make the last four was "shocked" in the second round by Wichita State.

Of our 16 official entrants, six still have all four of their picks alive.

• Susan Baxter, an IB Patch reader picks Louisville to win.
• Randy Engel, an IB Patch reader, picks Louisville to win.
• Sheri Armendariz, an Encinitas Patch reader, picks Arizona to win.
• Steve Lucas, a La Mesa Patch reader, picks Louisville to win.
• Aimee Benz, a Santee Patch reader, picks Indiana to win.
• Jamie Newton, an IB Patch reader, picks Kansas to win.

Several other entries have 3 out of 4 picks still alive, so it's anyone's ballgame.

The winner of the contest will receive a free golf outing for four people at Castle Creek Golf Course, a $264 value.

Located in Escondido, Castle Creek Country Club is home of the scenic Castle Creek golf course that provides golfers with an enjoyable and challenging experience. In addition, the Gopher Hole Sports Bar and Restaurant provides numerous TVs for patrons to watch sporting events, an extensive food menu and 20 craft beers on tap.

Original story:

Think you know college basketball? It’s time to put your predictive powers of prognostication to the test for a chance to win a free golf outing.

Patch is running a contest to see who can predict the last four teams in the Big Dance.  The winner of the contest will receive a free golf outing for four people at Castle Creek Golf Course in Escondido, a $264 value.

Located in Escondido, Castle Creek Country Club is home of the scenic Castle Creek golf course that provides golfers with an enjoyable and challenging experience. In addition, the Gopher Hole Sports Bar and Restaurant provides numerous TVs for patrons to watch sporting events, an extensive food menu and 20 craft beers on tap. 

It’s been a wild season in college hoops, and this year’s tournament should be wide open. Let the Madness of March begin.

Here’s how the contest will be scored:

Entrants will receive (1) point for each team they correctly pick to make it to the National Semifinals, (3) points for each team they correctly pick to make the Championship Game, and (5) points for correctly picking this year’s National Champion.

Tiebreakers will be determined by “total points” in the championship game.

To enter the contest, simply leave a comment in this post with the following information:

Full Name:

Local Patch site:

Last Four Teams (pick 4)

Championship Game teams (pick 2)

National Champion (pick 1)

Total points in championship game

Entries without all of the above information will be deemed ineligible. You are eligible for only one entry per registered Patch user. Comments will be locked beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, right before tip-off of the Second Round Games.

(Editor’s Note: The “play-in games” on Tuesday and Wednesday are actually considered the First Round.)

Must be a legal resident of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia who are 18 and older. The winner will receive a free golf outing for four people at Castle Creek Golf Course. Approximate retail value of prize: $264. Click the PDF above for complete details of the Official Rules.

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