FCWT at La Costa: Itterman takes wet win
FCWT photo
CARLSBAD, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2009) -- Some areas of California have seen so much rain lately that golf has become a water sport. Round one of the La Costa Open took place on the North Course under very ominous skies and on a golf course that has been so drenched with rain, the last three holes of the course were unplayable.
At the end of Round One in the boys 16-18 division, Ben Itterman of Carlsbad, CA (2010) and Cole Chelle of Edmonton, CANADA (2010) were co-leading at even par. Chelle was playing in his first FCWT event of the season; Itterman had finished T2 at PGA West last month.
On Sunday, as play moved to the South Course, Itterman held steady at even par and earned his first win of the season. Itterman, like several other players, carded six birdies for the weekend, but Itterman was the one who avoided the most trouble at the challenging La Costa venue and took the victory.
In an almost repeat performance, Trevor Simsby of Carlsbad, CA (2010) , who began the day at +2, fired a -1 on Sunday to come within one stroke of forcing Itterman into a playoff.
At PGA West in January, Simsby also carded the Low Round on Sunday, but today's Low Round included an eagle on # 17. Unfortunately a double bogey on 18 kept him from earning the win this time, but in addition to Low Round honors, he took home 2nd place.
Finishing in 3rd place was Jeff Wibawa of Encino, CA (2010) who carded his own eagle on the par 5, 9th hole. His 135 finish is his third Top 5 of the season. Jimmy Kozikowski of Mesa, AZ (2009), and Nick Russell of Vancouver, Canada (2011), finished tied for 4th at 136. David Holtgrewe of Cherry Hills Village, CO (2009), Tyler Torano of Chula Vista, CA (2010), and overnight co-leader Chelle finished 5 strokes off the pace and tied for 6th. Kevin Dougherty of Murrieta, CA (2009) and David Smith of San Diego, CA (2010) rounded out the Top 10.
In the Boys 13-15 division, Kevin DeHuff of Coto de Caza, CA (2011) and Ben Doyle of San Diego, CA (2014) were tied for the lead at +2 after Saturday's round. On Sunday, 15-year-old DeHuff went two strokes lower than 13-year-old Doyle on the South Course and earned his first FCWT win of the season. Both players had four birdies for the weekend to lead this division. Brenton Hirao of Cypress, CA (2013) who finished in 3rd place, led in pars with 25 for the weekend.
In the Boys 11-12 division, Tyler Moore of Escondido, CA (2015) continued his winning ways on Sunday by earning win # 7 of the season. Moore carded 4 birdies and 16 pars for the weekend. Gavin deFisser of Gilbert, AZ (2015) also carded 16 pars for the weekend and finished in 2nd place. Shrish Dwivedi of Redwood City, CA (2015) finished 3rd place.
In the women's flight, Jennifer Johnson of La Quinta, CA (2009) began the final-round three strokes off the pace and tied for 9th, but on Sunday she fired the low round of 71 to win by three over Simone Strauss of Rancho Mirage, CA (2009).
Seventeen year old Johnson, who won this event in 2007 with a final round of 69, is currently ranked #13 in the Golfweek/Titleist rankings.
During the 2006-2007 season she won all three FCWT events that she entered and earned All-American honors.
Strauss, like Johnson, is a four-season FCWT player. Her second place finish is her best of the current season.
Fifteen year old Marguerite Swearingen earned 3rd place, her best FCWT finish to date, and led this division in birdies with six for the weekend.
Ashleigh Albrecht of Murrieta, CA (2009), Jacqueline Williams of Fair Oaks, CA (2009), and overnight co-leader Brenna Nelsen finished tied for 4th.
--Courtesy FCWT