California Notes for October 2001

Southern Californians led the way as the West rallied in the final round to reclaim the Canon Cup with a 30½-19½ victory at Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville, N.C.

The East held a 16½-13½ lead entering the final round, but the West won 15 of 20 matches and lost only one on the final day to win the Canon Cup for the second time in three years even though it trails, 7-4-1, in the 12 years of the event matching the best juniors in the nation.

“The word spread around the course (that the West was taking charge) and the players didn’t want to lose,” said Gus Montano, the West captain. “Our team would hear how their teammates were doing and it just gave them a lot of confidence. It was just kind of a snowball effect.”

“It was important to get off to a good start (in the final round), and we did that. Going into (the last day), I knew we were in good position. I loved out match-ups. We got the breaks and went out and took it.”

Ina Kim of Encino, a graduate of Harvard-Westlake High in North Hollywood who is joining her sister at Northwestern, led the way with a 3-0-1 record, which tied Lani Elston of Spokane, WA, and Brian Duncan of Greenville, SC, for best in the tournament.

Allison Martin of Bakersfield posted a 3-1 record and Anthony Kim of La Quinta was 2-1-1.

Perhaps the biggest victory of the final day was Anthony Kim’s 3-and-2 decision over Eastern ace Chan Song Wongluekiet of Bradenton, FL, who came into the final round with a 9-1-1 record in the last three Canon Cups.

“I birdied No. 1 from about a foot, so I knew it was going to be a good day,” said Anthony Kim, who was 5-up after seven holes and held on. “I knew he would have some pressure on him with his Canon Cup record, so I was ready for a chance to play him.”

Martin knocked off Brittany Lincicome of Piniellas Park, FL, 2 and 1, in the final round to close out a tournament with one victory each day. Martin and Paula Creamer of Pleasanton beat Kelly Husted of Sarasota, FL, and Whitney Cade of Glasgow, KY, 2 and 1, in the first round, and Martin teamed with Creamer to down Lisa Tyler of Lighthouse Point, FL, and Aimee Cho of Orlando, FL, 3 and 2, on day two.

Ina Kim defeated Cho, 4 and 3, in the final round after joining with Whitney Welch of Las Vegas to beat sisters Mallory and Whitney Code of Tampa, FL, 2 and 1, in the first round and teaming with Ryan Baca of Richmond, TX, to down Mallory Code and Brendon Todd of Cary, NC, 2 and 1, in round two.

Stella Lee of Irvine finished the tournament with a 1-1-2 record, saving her best for the final day, when she scored a 2-and-1 victory over Husted.

Jay Choi of Buena Park posted a 1-1-2 record, while Sunny Oh of Torrance was the only Southern Californian without a victory but she contributed 1½ points with a 0-1-3 record that including a halve with highly-regarded Whitney Code on the final day.

The Southern California contingent had a 10-5-9 record over the three days, scoring enough points by itself to claim the Canon Cup.

The Southland golfers had a 4-0-2 record on the final day of the matches, which are conducted by the American Junior Golf Association.

When John Cook and Tiger Woods won on the same weekend, it gave golfers from Southern California 10 victories on the PGA Tour this year.

Woods, from Cypress, has won five times, Phil Mickelson of San Diego has won twice, while Scott McCarron and Tom Pernice, who both played for UCLA, and Cook all have one victory.

Cook, 43, was a longshot to win the Reno-Tahoe Open, while Woods took a long time to win the World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH.

Cook, who grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes and is a graduate of Miraleste High, was so far off the lead heading into the final round, he thought he would shoot for fourth place then jump on a plane to Los Angeles and have dinner with his daughter.

Even after Cook finished at 69-64-74-64–271, 17 under par, at Montreaux Country Club in Reno, he still didn’t think he would wind up with the 11th victory in his 22 years on the PGA Tour. But he watched on television as leader Jerry Kelly mad a triple-bogey six on the 16th hole and wound up one stroke behind Cook.

“It’s a big surprise,” said Cook, who collected $540,000 by coming from six strokes behind in the final round. “I played so badly (on Saturday, when he shot 74) I was embarrassed to be out there, to tell you the truth. Trying to stay competitive in your mid-40s is not easy.”

“I feel bad for Jerry. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I’ve done that in the British Open with a chance to win. It happens to everybody.”

Cook, who has not won a major championship, held the lead by two strokes in the 1992 British Open at Muirfield when he three-putted the 17th hole for par and then almost hit his approach into the bleachers while making a bogey on the final hole. That allowed Nick Faldo to claim the title.

At Reno, Cook chipped in from 20 feet for an eagle - three on the 518-yard fourth hole, part of a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie stretch that led to a 30 on the front nine during his final round of eight-under par 64.

“I had made only three eagles all year and I made four in the last two weeks, including three this week,” said Cook, who holed out from 188 yards with a seven iron on the 496-yard, par-four 12th hole on Friday while also shooting 64.

Kelly, who has not won in three years on the PGA Tour, came to the 16th hole with a one-stroke lead. His tee shot missed the green to the right, chili-dipped two chips and eventually lipped out a putt of less than three feet.

He wasn’t finished, putting himself in position but missing an eight-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole and almost holing his approach shot for an eagle on the final hole that would have forced a playoff, settling for a one-foot birdie putt.

“It was one of those things that makes you love and hate the game,” said Kelly, 34, who said he took good swings on his two flubbed chip shots. “It wasn’t like a choke thing at all. I went through and just happened to go under it. There was more grass than I thought, apparently.”

“I certainly didn’t think I was going to miss a 2½-footer.”

That was about the length of the putt Woods made at Firestone to climax a marathon seven-hole playoff against Jim Furyk and end his summer slump.

“It was a lot of fun playing and competing at that level,” said Woods, who took home $1 million with the 29th victory of his PGA Tour career. “Not too often do you get a chance to have your emotions and your intensity and your level of competitiveness at that high a level. That, to me, is the ultimate.”

“It was a war. Neither one of us gave an inch. It was fun to compete like that. Win or lose, to be out there in that environment is pretty cool.”

After each player scrambled for six consecutive pars, Woods hit a wedge that spun back to the hole to end the two-hour playoff, longest on the PGA Tour in 10 years. Bruce Fleisher won the 1991 New England Classic on the seventh extra hole.

Furyk holed a bunker shot to save par on the first extra hole.

Woods escaped the trees after a favorable ruling from an official and a brilliant bump-and-run shot from 50 yards to make par, and saved par again by bending his approach shot around the threes two holes later.

“It was just shot for shot,” Woods said.

Furyk, who led throughout the tournament until Woods came from two shot behind in the final round to catch him, had three chances to win with birdie putts, all from about 12 feet, but could not convert.

One of the putts caught the right lip and spun out.

“I didn’t lose it from tee to green,” Furyk said. “I lost it on the greens. I should have made more putts.”

“I don’t feel like I let anyone down. I played well enough to win. I thought I won the tournament a couple of times (in the final round), and I thought I lost it a couple of times.”

Woods, who is 7-1 world-wide in playoffs and tied Jack Nicklaus’ record for PGA Tour victories before the age of 30, finished at 66-67-66-69–268, 12 under par. Furyk finished at 65-66-66-71–268 and collected $500,000.

The NEC Invitational has been played three times and Woods has won each time, last year by 11 strokes.

Kemp Richardson turned 55 last April and was making his first run at the British Senior Amateur Championship.

Richardson, a stockbroker from Laguna Nigel, saw defending champion Joel Hirsch of Chicago self-destruct on the 17th hole of the Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland and made the par he needed on the final hole to claim the title.

“I knew on the 18th tee that I needed par to win, but it was easier said than done because the final hole is 450 yards,” said Richardson, who was low amateur at the U.S. Senior Open in 1999 and 2000.

David Carroll of Napa was in the clubhouse at two-over par, one stroke behind.

Richardson survived a momentary scare when Hirsch, who has won the title twice, hit the pin with his approach shot in an attempt to pull even. Richardson reached the green in two and was 30 feet away. His first putt stopped three feet from the hole and set him up for the winner.

“It’s nice to win a major event at the first attempt,” Richardson said. “The weather was actually pretty good. We had a little wind and a little rain, but at the end it was actually a bit like California.”
Richardson, a scratch golfer who played at USC, finished at 71-73-73–217, one over par.

Carroll was second at 77-70-71–218, with Hirsch third at 75-68-76–219.

Hirsch, playing in the same group as Richardson, hit his second shot on the 17th hole into a bunker 30 yards short of the green. He hit his shot thin and the ball was lost in bushes behind the green. He took a drop before chipping onto the green and two-putted for a triple-bogey eight.

Richardson also had trouble on the No. 17. His approach shot plugged in a greenside bunker, he need two swings to get the ball out of the sand and he two-putted for bogey to maintain his lead heading to the final hole.

“I knew I could be competitive,” Richardson said of his first trip to the British Senior Amateur. “I thought I had a chance to win.”

He has no thoughts, however, about the Senior PGA Tour.

“I don’t want to do that,” he said. “There is way too much travel.”

Allison Martin of Bakersfield made it a hat trick.

Martin became the first player to win three American Junior Golf Association events during the summer when she claimed the Girls’ Division in the Legendary Headwear San Diego Junior at the Auld Course in Chula Vista.

Martin shot 69-70-69–208, eight-under par, and outdistanced the field by 10 strokes.

“I got off to a really good start and that gave me a lot of confidence,” Martin said. “It took some of the pressure off and I knew if I kept playing consistent that I would be all right.”

Martin started the final round with a three-stroke lead over Walailak Satarak of Paramount and started to pull away by making birdies on the second and third holes.

Satarak totaled 69-73-76–218 and tied for second with Jane Park of La Crescenta, who finished at 75-70-73–218. Irene Cho of La Habra was fourth at 75-73-72–220.

“I tried to pretend that is was just another round,” said Martin, whose other victories came in the Ashworth Junior Classic at Quail Ranch and the ClubCorp Junior at Mission Hills. “I wanted to come out and at least shoot par, and not worry about what my competitors were doing.”

“My game is really progressing and I’ve been able to have more consistency. The key to winning tournaments is being consistent.”

Jennie Lee of Huntington Beach totaled 77-72-72–221 and tied for fifth with Jane Lee of Torrance, who came in at 71-75-75–221, and Charlotte Mayorkas of Chula Vista finished seventh at 77-71-74–222.

Ina Kim of Encino finished in a tie for eighth at 72-79-76–227 and Sara Jones of Valencia was 10th at 77-75–78–230

Lenny Park of Rowland Heights won the Boys’ Division by three strokes, shooting 67-68-70–205.

Park had a three-stroke lead entering the final round and padded his lead with birdies on the first two holes by knocking in putts of 20 feet and 15 feet.

“It was nice to start off with a pair of birdies,” Park said. “I was able to relax a little and play my own game.

“I was a little nervous coming into No. 18. I thought I had a little bigger lead, but I didn’t let up and still went for it, and was able to make birdie.”

David Yoon of Irvine shot 69-70-69–208 and tied for second with Kyle Gentry of Carmel, who finished at 70-70-68–208.

Breene Murphy of Los Alamitos totaled 70-69-73–212 and tied for fourth with Bryson Young of Reno, who wound up at 72-72-68–212, and Tyler Ley of Santa Barbara, who came in at 69-70-73–212.

Anthony Kim of La Quinta shot 73-69-71–213 and tied for seventh with Scott MacDonald of Playa del Rey, who finished at 69-74-70–213.

Daniel Im of La Mirada was ninth at 71-73-71–215.

Callaway Golf Co. and the Royal Canadian Golf Association have agreed to resolve their differences and the Carlsbad-based company has dropped its lawsuit against the RCGA.

The dispute stemmed from the Royal Canadian Golf Association’s decision in April, 2000, to go along with the United States Golf Association’s ban of Callaway's ERC driver as nonconforming and therefore not legal for use by USGA and RCGA members.

The only organization that has legalized use of the driver is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

“We have mutually agreed that we can do more to benefit the game of golf in Canada by settling any past differences and working more closely together going forward,” read a statement released by Stephen Ross, executive director of the RCGA, and Ron Drapeau, chief executive officer for Callaway.

“In issuing this statement, the RCGA and Callaway have committed themselves to an open dialogue on future partnerships that ultimately benefit Canadian golfers in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.”

The Royal Canadian Golf Association, governing body of men's amateur golf in Canada, determines national policies and standards relating to the game on behalf of its nearly 300,000 members.

It also conducts Canada's six national amateur championships and three professional tournaments–the Bell Canadian Open, the AT&T Canada Senior Open and the Bank of Montreal Canadian Women's Open.

Steve McCracken, legal counsel for Callaway, said when the suit was filed in the Central District of California in May, 2000, that the decision to ban the ERC II driver, was a product of the RCGA's “arbitrary and unfair actions, in acting on April 18 to ban the ERC driver from RCGA sanctioned events in Canada.”

“They did that without doing any research or studies of their own, without having any contact with us, without having a dialogue with the affected parties, and we think, violated the law in doing so.”

In addition to the suit being dropped, neither side has sought blame for any wrongdoing and each side has agreed to take responsibility for its own court costs and attorneys fees.

The Southern California Junior Golf Summit

The Southern California Junior Golf Summit, presented by the SCPGA Foundation and the Southern California Golf Association, will take place Oct. 4 at the Pacific Palms Resort and Conference Center at Industry Hills Golf Club in the City of Industry.

It is the fifth such conference to be held across the country this year to bring together junior golf officials to discuss ways to promote the game. Previous summits were held in Monterey, Philadelphia, Boston and Jacksonville, FL.

“We are proud that the SCPGA Foundation has been invited to spearhead an effort whose effect is both necessary and timely,” said Frank Talarico, director of the SCPGA Foundation. “It is an honor and certainly a positive step forward when the strongest golf associations in the country become strong allies for junior golf.”

Junior golf directors and promoters will meet with club professional, course owners and operators and area golf associations to share ideas and seek ways to improve booming junior golf programs throughout the country.

Included in the Southern California Junior Golf Summit will be a discussion by members of the United States Golf Associatin Foundation, the SCPGA, the SCGA, Golf 20/20, and the First Tee Program about the role of allied associations and initiatives at the grassroots level.

Breakout sessions will include funding and growing a junior golf program, facility relations and development for a junior program, and program and curriculum building. The summit, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., will conclude with a networking session for all attendees and presenters.

“The Southern California community should be commended for its cutting edge approach to junior golf,” said Ruffin Beckwith, senior vice president of the World Golf Foundation and director of Golf 20/20 initiatives. “We are working to make other communities award of the success Los Angeles has had and are encouraging other communities to take similar approaches.”

Golf 20/20 is an industry-wide initiative introduced by the World Golf Foundation to enhance the game of golf. At a World Golf Foundation conference last November, its executive board, with an agreement with organizations from the golf industry, took action to seek more information on existing junior golf programs, create more effective models of communication and ascertain a greater understanding of how youth are impacted by golf.

For more information about the Southern California Golf Summit, contact Talarico at (714) 776-4653.

For further information about Golf 20/20 and the World Golf Foundation, contact Beckwith at (904) 208-4829.

Anthony Kim of La Quinta came from two shots down in the final round to win the Boys’ Division of the Ping Phoenix Junior Championship on the Karsten Course in Tempe, AZ.

Kim, who said he struggled with his putter all day, sank a par-saving putt on the 17th hole to take the outright lead for the first time.

“There are so many pressures in the final round,” Kim said. “It just feels awesome, especially against such great competition.”

Kim shot 70-70-69–209, seven-under par, and wound up one stroke ahead of Spencer Levin of Elk Grove, who totaled 71-70-69–210.

Joshua Wooding of Riverside came in at 72-73-66–211 and tied for third with Pansing Singhaseni of Beverly Hills, who shot 70-69-72–211.

Kevin Larson of Santa Barbara finished fifth at 75-70-67–212, Peter Campbell of Encinitas tied for seventh at 71-69-74–214, and Michael Feuerstein of La Jolla shot 69-77-69–215 and wound up in a tie for ninth that included Daniel Im of La Mirada, who came in at 72-73-70–215, Jimmy Harris of El Cajon at 72-73-70–215 and David Yoon of Irvine at 73-70-72–215.

Jane Lee of Torrance also rallied in the final round to overtake Allison Martin of Bakersfield to win the Girls’ Division by one stroke.

Lee thought she was out of the running after making consecutive bogeys on the front nine of the final round, but jumped back into contention by playing the first five holes of the back side in five-under par–including a hole in one on the 150-yard 12th hole.

“I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” said Lee, who broke through with a victory after finishing second in the Marsh Kansas City Junior and the Arizona Classic. “It was like I was playing for second. It feels really good knowing I could fight through that. I felt like my mental game got stronger. I learned never to give up.”

“I had the feeling I could win, but I’ve been losing that feeling in the final round of the last couple tournaments. Now I feel like I can stay strong and win all the time.”

Lee finished at 70-75-69–214, two-under par, while Martin, trying to win for the fourth time this year, wound up second at 71-71-73–215.

Charlotte Mayorkas of Chula Vista shot 75-73-70–218 and tied for third with Hannah Jun of San Diego, who came in at 73-75-70–218.

Jennie Lee of Huntington Beach totaled 72-75-73–220 and tied for seventh with Walailak Satarak of Paramount, who wound up at 77-70-73–220.

Sunny Oh of Torrance shot 78-75-72–225 and tied for 10th with Erica Blasberg of Corona, who came in at 74-75-75–225.

Cal State Northridge Golf News

Cal State Northridge is becoming a stepping-stone for women’s golf coaches.

Stephanie Martin, Coach of the Year in the Big Sky Conference last season, has been appointed women’s coach at Kentucky.

Martin’s predecessor, Carrie Leary, left the Matadors to become women’s coach at UCLA, leading the Bruins to the NCAA championship tournament last season.

“I guess (Northridge) is a good place to get your next new job,” Martin said. “I think (the Matadors) are going to keep getting better if they continue to improve (at the same rate they have been).”

Bonnie Murphy, a first-year assistant in the Northridge program last year, has been selected to replace Martin, 29.

Murphy takes over as the Matadors move into the Big West Conference this season.

“Bonnie was an outstanding player and is an alumna of Cal State Northridge,” said Athletic Director Dick Dull. “She cares about the integrity of the golf program and we are privileged to have her on our staff.”

Murphy was a four-year letter-winner for the Matadors from 1996-2000, and earned Big Sky Conference All-Academic honors. She ranks ninth in stroke average on the school’s all-time list.

Northridge enjoyed its best season in history last season, finishing in the top five nine times and winning the Colby Classic, in which Beth Allen was medallist at 72-73–145.

The Matadors just missed a spot in the NCAA regionals.

“I’d love to say it was due to me, but women’s golf across the board is increasing by leaps and bounds,” Martin said. “And there are a lot of girls who will want to go to CSUN because they know it’s a good team. “

''I really like this team. I wish I could take them with me. Nothing against my players at Kentucky, but I’m really close to the girls at CSUN. It was a neat group and they really worked hard.”

Northridge returns senior Kelley Carlson and junior Kathy Pareja, who both won tournaments last year. Among the freshman recruits are Emma Wahlgren, one of the top junior girls in Sweden, and Adrienne Cipparone of Poway High.

Martin, whose father Lee Martin, is a teaching professional at River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard, played for the boys’ golf team at Rio Mesa High in Oxnard and was a two time All American at Oklahoma State.

The former Colorado Open champion played on the LPGA Tour and on pro tours in Europe and Australia.

“Nothing that impressive or I'd still be there,” Martin said.

So she will try to make an impact in another arena.

AJGA Kroger Junior Invitational Recap

For Blake Moore of Monrovia, Elks Run Golf Club in Monrovia, OH, was a proving ground.

Moore shot a course-record five-under par 66 in the final round to win the AJGA Kroger Junior Invitational by one stroke.

“This win gives me the confidence I need to play out here,” said Moore, who finished at 75-69-66–210, three under par. “It can be intimidating playing against some of the top players, but now I feel I belong out here.”

“This was definitely a huge confidence boost for me. I’m very happy with the way my game has improved this summer.”

Moore came from three shots down in the final round to pass second-round leader Cale Barr of Versailles, KY, who finished at 73-68-70–211, and tied for second with Joel Kraner of Dublin, OH, who wound up at 69-74-68–211.

Darren Blair of Coto de Caza tied for 16th at 74-74-76–224.

Moore felt he had to get off to a good start in the final round to have a chance to win, and he did that when he holed a 25-foot chip shot from the heather for eagle on the 513-yard third hole. He added birdies on the sixth, eighth and ninth holes to finish the front nine in five-under par 31.

“I just wanted to hit the fairways,” Moore said. “I ended up missing only one green the whole day and I was glad to be able to score so well on the front nine because I wanted to start things early.”

Once in the lead, Moore played steady golf, finishing with nine consecutive pars.

Moah Chang of Los Angeles shot 74-73-77–224 and finished second in the girls’ division to 13-year-old Morgan Pressel, who totaled 73-72-71–216.

Eunice Yum of Torranced tied for 11th at 84-79-83–246.

San Diego State Golf News

Neale Stoner has returned to San Diego State as interim women’s golf coach.

Stoner was coach of the Aztecs’ men’s team from 1993 to 2000, taking San Diego State to the NCAA Championship tournament in 1999 for the first time in 15 seasons.

“Neale did a great job of resurrecting our men’s program in the early 1990s and leading them into the NCAA Championships in 1999,” said Rick Bay, executive director of athletics. “I am confident he will perform equally well leading the women.”

Stoner, who inherits a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament two of the last three years, was instrumental in the revival of both Aztec programs when he secured funding sponsorship from Callaway and Aldila in 1993.

A 1962 graduate of Cal State Fullerton, Stoner was athletic director for the Titans from 1972-79 and at Illinois from 1979-88.

“I have always enjoyed coaching collegiate golf and I was more than happy to step back into that role when asked,” said Stoner, a native of Sioux Falls, SD.

Bay also appointed Felicia Brown, a teaching professional at Lake San Marcos Resort and Country Club, as assistant coach.

Brown, who played on the boys’ team at San Marcos High and was a member of strong teams at Arizona, previously was assistant men’s coach at Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ, from 1991-92.

“Felicia has a strong resume as a player and a teacher,” Bay said. “She is a great addition to our staff.”

Brown played on the Players West Tour, winning three times, and has been a member of the LPGA Teaching Division for seven years.

Mike Rim of Lakewood sank a par-saving putt on the first extra hole to win the 17th annual Buick Junior Open on the Moor Course at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs, MI.

Rim shot the low score of the tournament in the final round, finishing at 70-79-66–215, to tie Colby Beckstrom of North Muskegon, MI, who totaled 72-73-70–215.

In the playoff, both players missed the green with their second shots on the 399-yard, par-fourth 10th hole. Beckstrom’s chip shot from the edge of the green-side hazard didn’t reach the putting surface, while Rim chipped to within six feet.

Beckstrom nearly holed his fourth shot, which trickled barely past the hole, before Rim rolled in his putt to claim his first American Junior Golf Association title.

“I’m thrilled with the victory,” Rim said. “Top-three was my goal, so I definitely exceeded my expectations.”

Rim carded five birdies in the final round, including three in a row from holes eight through 10, and made a 17-foot putt for eagle to tie for the lead on the 533-yard 14th hole.

He had a one-stroke lead in the clubhouse when Beckstrom made a bogey on the 17th hole. When Beckstrom’s 20-foot putt for eagle broke off at the last instant, he settled for a tap-in birdie on the final hole, they went to a playoff.

“I just kept playing the course (after the eagle),” Rim said. “I knew if I could par out I would have a chance.”

Elena Kurakowa of Redondo Beach finished sixth at 78-77-77–232 in the Girls’ Division, which was won by Paula Creamer of Pleasanton at 72-78-72-222.

Sunny Oh had never won a major junior tournament, but you certainly couldn’t tell.

Oh, from Torrance, led from wire-to-wire to claim the Independent Insurance Agent Junior Classic National Finals by four strokes at University of Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor, MI.

“I’m just so happy because this was my first big tournament win,” Oh said after shooting 72-71-74-73–290, six over par. “In this tournament I tried to hit fairways and greens, and then two-putt. I had only one three-putt all four days.”

Erica Blasberg of Corona finished second for the third consecutive year by totaling 73-72-78-71–294. She lost out to Whitney Wade last year and Candie Kung of Fountain Valley in 1999.

Christine Fernandez of Henderson, NV, was third at 78-68-73-78–297, followed by Angela Won of Irvine at 77-71-76-77–301.

Elena Kurakowa of Redondo Beach stumbled early in the final round before picking it up and winning the Girls’ Division of the John Deere Classic Junior Championship on Glynn’s Creek Golf Course in Long Grove, IL.

Kurakowa’s four-stroke lead over Alice Kim of Los Angeles dwindled to one when she made bogeys on the first three holes of the final round, but she got back on track by sinking a 25-foot uphill putt for birdie on the fifth hole.

She added a birdie putt of 10 feet on the 10th hole and took the suspense out of the final hole by making par.

“After the first three holes, I knew I needed to start playing better and make some birdies,” Kurakowa said. “After my birdie on No. 5, I was able to relax and start hitting the ball better.”

“I’m happy to get the win and get the chance to play at Polo and Rolex. It was stressful to have the lead all week, but it feels good to get the win.”

Kurakowa finished at 69-73-76–218, with Kim two strokes behind at 70-76-74–220. They were the only California girls in the field.

Daniel Kim of Cerritos tied for 14th at 72-78-73–223.

Mickey Yokoi has been appointed women’s golf coach at Arizona State, replacing legendary Linda Vollstedt, who led the Sun Devils to six national championships in 21 seasons.

Yokoi, who played at UCLA, has been an assistant to Randy Lein, Arizona State men’s coach, for the last five seasons, when the Sun Devils won four Pacific 10 Conference championships.

“No one will ever match the job that Linda Vollstedt has done, but I am excited to build on the foundation that Linda has set and continue those successes in the future,” Yokoi said.

Vollstedt retired as coach in June and became director of golf development and promotions for both teams at Arizona State.

The Sun Devils won national championships in 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998 under Vollstedt, who was named NCAA Women’s Coach of the Year five times. Arizona State is the only school to win three consecutive NCAA women’s golf titles.

Among the players who came out of Arizona State during Vollstedt’s tenure are Danielle Ammaccapane, Kellee Booth, Brandie Burton, Nancy Harvey, Emilee Klein, Grace Park and Wendy Ward.

Mickelson, brother of PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson, shot 68-69–137 and collected $1,500.

Todd Fischer of Pleasanton was second at 72-68–140, with O.D. Vincent third at 70-73–143.

Jeff Wysand of Palm Desert shot 77-67–144 and tied for fourth with Byron Schlagenhauf of Manhattan Beach, who wound up at 72-72–144, and Scott Householder of Redlands, who came in at 73-71–144.

Jane Lee of Torrance made a run at the leaders in the final round and finished second by one stroke in the AJGA Marsh Kansas City Junior Championship at Milburn Country Club in Overland Park, KS.

Lee finished at 78-75-72–225, one stroke behind Dana Je of Orlando, FL, who shot 77-72-75–224.

Je held off Lee by sinking a 10-foot putt for par on the final hole.

“I was a little nervous, but the putt felt good and felt like it was going in,” Je said.

Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana of Long Beach tied for fourth at 75-76-80–231.

Phillip Telliard of Riverside tied for 20th in the boys’ division at 74-75-72–221.

Angela Won of Irvine, Elena Kurokawa of Redondo Beach, Bolee Kim of West Covina and Julie McKenna of Newbury Park gave Southern California an 18-stroke victory over Northern California in the Girls’ Junior America’s Cup at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa.

Kurokawa shot 73-72-74–219, Kim totaled 86-77-81–244, Won wound up at 72-80-70–222 and McKenna finished at 79-71-72–222. The best three scores count toward the team total each day.

Mexico finished third in the 18-team tournament that included teams from the Western United States, Canada and Mexico.

Phillip Telliard of Riverside rallied in the final round and finished second in the Boys’ Division of the Greater Hartford Jaycees Junior Classic at Westerfield Country Club in Westerfield, CN.

Telliard shot 71-73-69–213, even par, to finish two strokes behind Zack Amole of Denver, PA, who wound up at 68-72-71–211.

Emma Stackowicz of Pacific Palisades finished fifth in the Girls’ Division at 77-74-76–227, and Sara Huber of Carlsbad wound up in a tie for ninth at 79-73-81–233.

Garrett Sapp of Cerritos shot 70-71–141 to win the Boys’ Division of the Junior Amateur Golf Scholarship Summer Series tournament, defeating Rick Costello by two strokes at Costa Mesa Country Club.

It was the second consecutive victory in the series for the 15-year-old Sapp.

Jennifer Osborn of Huntington Beach shot 81-79–160 to win the Girls’ Division, defeating Tina Eng of Monterey Park by nine strokes.

Sean King of Ventura shot 74-72-80–226 to win the boys’ 16-17 division in the Ventura County Junior Golf Assn. Championships at Olivas Park Golf Course in Ventura, River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard and North Ranch Country Club in Thousand Oaks.

Danny Hoffenberg of Simi Valley shot 82-84-82–248 to take the boys’ 14-15 division, and his brother, Matt Hoffenberg, finished at 75-79-78–232 to claim the boys’ 12-13 division.

Rebecca Norris of Thousand Oaks wound up at 81-79-76–236 and took home the top prize in the girls’ division.

David Yoon of Irvine tied for second in the AJGA Marsh Junior Championship at Bethpage State Park in Farmington, N.Y.

Yoon totaled 71-68-70–209 and finished five strokes behind Blaine Peffley of Lebanon, Pa., who shot 66-70-68–204.

The SCPGA Pro-Lady Club Champion Championship will be held Oct. 8 at Candlewood Country Club in Whittier.

Mark Blakely and Joyce Fung of Candlewood won the event, sponsored by Golf Design, on their home course last year.

Grant Garrison and George Pawlick of North Ranch Country Club in Thousand Oaks will defend their title in the SCPGA Pro-Official Championship on Oct. 22 at Robinson Ranch Golf Club in Canyon Country.

Garrison and Pawlick won the event, presented by Club Car, last year on their home course.

Regional qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 on the Legends Course at the PGA of Southern California in Beaumont.

October 5, 2001