Nick Fowlkes Wins Southern California Amateur in Hometown Triumph

VALENCIA, Calif. — The roar that greeted Nick Fowlkes's championship-clinching par putt on the 72nd hole Wednesday afternoon said everything about what his victory meant to the members of Valencia Country Club. One of their own had just captured the nation's second-oldest amateur championship.

Fowlkes, who earned his place in the field through a host-club exemption, closed with an even-par 71 to finish at 5-under 279 and win the 127th Southern California Amateur Championship by three shots over Cole Kim of Orange. With his father on the bag and a cart parade following him up the final fairway, Fowlkes put his name alongside Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Beau Hossler, and Sahith Theegala on the championship's historic trophy.