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San Francisco City Championship: Briones is Youngest-Ever Champion
March 8, 2009 | by

see also: San Francisco City 2026 MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP, TPC Harding Park Golf Course

- SF Chronicle Photo courtesy Michael Maloney
- SF Chronicle Photo courtesy Michael Maloney

Carlos Briones, at age 14, wins the oldest City Championship in the U.S.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (March 8, 2009)--14-year-old Carlos Briones, a freshman at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, made history on Sunday as the youngest-ever champion of the San Francisco City Championship.

Briones, who moved from the Philippines at age 5, won the 36-hole final over Cal Freshman Jamie Core, 3 & 2.

The match was close through the final nine. Briones moved ahead with pars at No's. 14 and 15, and closed out the victory with a 7-foot par save on No. 16.

"The thrill of making that putt was amazing," said Briones.

In the Senior Division, long time friends, and sometime rivals Gary Vanier and Mark Miller faced off in the finals. Vanier, who had narrowly escaped the jaws of death on Saturday when he was 4-down with 5 to play against Jeff Early, (he won in sudden-death) had a much easier time with Miller on Sunday.

Vanier took the lead early with birdies on No's. 2 and 3, and never gave it up, winning 6 & 5. The last time the two faced off in a Northern California "major" was at the 2008 Alameda Commuters. Miller won that stroke play event, which is coming up in April.

In the Women's Division, Bonnie Hu defeated Jordan Ontiveros, 4 & 3. Hu is a junior at Mission Valley H.S. in Fremont; Ontiveros a senior at Monte Vista High in Danville.

About the San Francisco City Men's Championship

Men's Championship is now FULL. All participants must register for pre-qualifying. Should there be withdrawals in the main field, spots will be granted based on your registration time/date for pre-qualifying. **Entry Procedure: Registration opens for...

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