Boys winner Sean Maruyama (SCGA photo)
INDUSTRY HILLS, Calif. — Under an unnaturally cloudy
sky, the inaugural Southern California Junior Amateur
lived up to its billing this weekend at Industry Hills GC
at Pacific Palms Resort. Sean Maruyama, a sophomore
in high school who is already committed to UCLA, took
home the boys title while playing the Eisenhower “Ike”
Course. Angelina Kim, an impressive eighth-grader,
was victorious on the Zaharias “Babe” Course.
In the boys division, 36 holes just weren’t enough as
Maruyama and Edwin Kuang both finished at 5-under
par. On the final hole of the day, Kuang had a 20-
footer for birdie and the win, but it dramatically fell
inches short.
In the playoff, the duo parred the first hole and moved
to hole No. 13, a 197-yard par 3. Kuang flew the green
and executed a miraculous chip shot just to have a
look at par. It was all for not, however, as Maruyama
rolled in a 12-footer for birdie and the victory.
“It means a lot,” said an elated Maruyama. “I haven’t
won in a while so it really feels great.”
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Angelina Kim (SCGA) |
Over on the other course, everyone was
chasing the first round leader, Kim. She fired an
opening round 67, with an astounding eight birdies, for
a two-shot lead heading into the day.
Throughout the final round, Kim played smart and
steady. She was even on the day, with all pars,
heading into No. 16 where she birdied and put the
tournament out of reach.
“It was a big win for me. It’s very exciting,” said Kim.
“To win this first event is one of the best wins I’ve ever
had.”
After shooting an opening round 1-under 70, Beth Lillie
followed that up with a 2-under 69, with three birdies
and a single blemish coming on a bogey at No. 4. Her
3-under tournament total was good enough for second
place.
Rounding out the top three was Nina Novilla who
followed up an even par 71 with a 2-under 69.
The event was jointly run by the SCGA and SCPGA,
and included 180 total participants over two days.
View results for SCGA Junior Amateur
ABOUT THE SCGA Junior Amateur
The Southern California Junior Amateur Golf
Championship is co-
hosted by the SCGA and the SCPGA. Started in
2015, this
championship was created to determine the best
junior golfers in
Southern California. The boys championship is open
to Southern
California male amateur golfers with an established
USGA
Handicap Index of 5.4 or below who are 18 years of
age or
younger. The girls championship is open to Southern
California
female amateur golfers with an established USGA
Handicap Index
of 9.4 or below who are 18 years of age or younger.
View Complete Tournament Information