USD grad nabs victory

CORONADO, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2008) -- The last tournament victory for Jimmy Harris dates back to his junior golf days, he reckoned, although the 2006 University of San Diego graduate can't remember exactly which tournament that was.

Which isn't to say he wasn't close.

The San Diego native had a few tantalizing near-misses over the past few years, taking runner-up honors to Jamie Puterbaugh in 2005 and '06 in the San Diego City Championship (where he lost by a total of three strokes in two years) and another runner-up finish in the Coronado City Championship last year.

But on Sunday, Harris broke through with a victory on Coronado Island, winning the city title by two strokes after posting back-to-back rounds of 69. The 24-year-old, who now works in the commercial real estate business, finished at 6-under 138.

Entering the day tied with Southern California Golf Association player of the year Howie Knodt, Harris saw his nearest competition in his group struggle early, and took the opportunity to put together a solid round of 3-under, with three birdies and no bogeys.

"The guys in my group had a bit of trouble early, so that took some pressure off, but I didn't know what was going on in front of me," said Harris. "I made a couple of good par saves on 14 and 15 that helped me keep momentum for the final holes."

Surprisingly, Harris said one of the advantages he had in this event was a lack of preparation going in.

"It's a little different feeling, I don't play nearly as much competitive golf anymore working a regular 9-to-5 job, maybe one or two tournaments a year, and I don't practice as much," he said. "If I play well I still have to go to work Monday, if I play poorly, I'm still at work Monday too."

University of Denver senior Chris Gilman, from Yorba Linda, carded two rounds of 70 and took second at 4-under 140. Utah senior Chance Cota was third at 70-71--141. Bill Borden (142) and Howie Knodt (144) rounded out the top-5.