Austin Graham of San Clemente wins the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship

Austin Graham of San Clemente won the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship.

LOS ANGELES, July 19 -- In a five-way tie that came down to the last two holes, Austin Graham of San Clemente birdied hole 17 en route to a final-round, 1-under 70, and earned the title of 110th SCGA Amateur champion at Wilshire CC.

Graham, age 19 and an incoming junior economics major at UC Davis, broke up a logjam at the top of the leaderboard that included 2008 champion Kevin Marsh of Henderson, Nev., 2004 champion Tim Hogarth of Northridge, third-round leader and Duke golfer Spencer Anderson of Pacific Palisades, and Loyola Marymount golfer Jake Sarnoff of Manhattan Beach. In his 6-under-par victory (69-69-70-70--278), Graham rebounded from a bogey 6 on the 16th hole when he drained a 30-foot putt on 17 for birdie.

"I played smart today, and I hit aggressive, safe targets out there," Graham said after his round.

With his dad Tony on the bag ("He caddies 95 percent of the events I play in and helps me keep my game in perspective," Graham said), Graham is fresh off a win at the Long Beach City Championship last weekend, where he had an eight-stroke victory and shot a first-round 62 at El Dorado Park GC, the lowest tournament round he's shot. He said in hindsight, the win motivated him to play well at the Amateur.

"I learned a lot last week about staying in my game and keeping focused," he said. "I also knew that the competition at this event was going to be much more tough, and I had to mentally prepare for that."

Past champion and 2009 SCGA Mid-Amateur champion Hogarth (73-67-68-71--279) played steadily while his competition struggled, but stalled on holes 6 through 8 when he collected three consecutive bogeys. After a birdie on 9, and a double bogey on 10, Hogarth righted the ship and birdied holes 13, 14 and 16 to put him in a tie for first. A missed birdie attempt from 10 feet on 17, paired with Graham's birdie-3, closed out his championship hope and put him in a tie for second with Marsh.

Marsh (72-68-70-69--168) ran up the leaderboard also, but two bogeys on 11 and 12 got him into scoring trouble.

"I made a couple of bogeys on the last few holes that cost me," Marsh said. "I never had a good putting round this tournament, and that's usually my strength. The pin placements were challenging."

Tyler Crawford (69-71-72-68--280) of Rancho Mirage went birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie on holes 13-16 to secure the fourth-place spot, while Sarnoff (67-70-70-74--281), who was in second place coming into today's final round, claimed fifth after two bogeys, a double bogey, and only one birdie.

Anderson, a golfer at Duke and last year's fifth place winner who was as many as 7 under par and three shots in the lead today, succumbed to an up-and-down round that left him in seventh place (69-71-66-77--283), thanks to a bogey and two double bogeys on the last three holes.

"This win is a dream come true," Graham said. "I always wanted to qualify and play in this event, and to now have my name on the same trophy as Tiger Woods [winner in 1994] -- I'm speechless."

Pacific Palisades' Spencer Anderson leads after three rounds of the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship

Spencer Anderson of Pacific Palisades leads the 110th SCGA Amateur going into the final round.

LOS ANGELES, July 18 -- Spencer Anderson of Pacific Palisades made a huge push on today's front nine en route to a 66 and a one-shot lead going into the final round of the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship at Wilshire CC.

Anderson, a golfer at Duke, collected five birdies in his first nine holes for a 30 and three-round total of 69-71-66--206, 7 under par. The 19-year-old finished in a tie for fourth in last year's event.

"I got off to a good start," Anderson said after his round. "There are a lot of golfers I know out here who can do this, so I just need to stay focused. All the holes you have to put it in the fairway, and find the right spot on the greens."

Anderson holds a one-shot lead over Jake Sarnoff of Manhattan Beach, who carded a 70 today for a 6-under 67-70-70--207. The Loyola Marymount University golfer, an alternate who was added to the field only two days before the championship, maintained the lead early in the day, but only two birdies and a bogey held him in second.

Tim Hogarth of Northridge, the 2004 SCGA Amateur champion and 2009 SCGA Mid-Amateur champion, shot 73-67-68--208 and sits in third place with San Clemente's Austin Graham, recent winner of last weekend's Long Beach City Championship. Graham, who placed third in last year's Amateur and shot a 62 in the first round of the Long Beach City, the lowest tournament round he's shot, carded 69-69-70 going into tomorrow's final round.

"I knew coming into this event that the field would be stronger [than the Long Beach City] and I'd have to manage my game really well," Graham said. "That win last week gave me a boost, I made a lot of birdies which was nice. Now I know where to hit it and where not to."

Defending champion (and 1996 champion) Kevin Marsh of Henderson, Nev., sits alone in fifth place only four shots back, at 72-68-70--210. First-day leader Phil Walker of Rancho Santa Fe struggled to a 77 today and at 1-under-par 212, is in a five-way tie for seventh.

The final round is tomorrow at Wilshire, and tee times begin at 8:00 a.m. with leaders teeing off last. Hole-by-hole live scoring will be available.

Rancho Santa Fe's Phil Walker leads first 36 holes of the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship at Wilshire CC

Jason Bittick of Ladera Ranch shot a 67 in his first round and is tied for 13th going into round 3.

LOS ANGELES, July 17 -- Phil Walker of Rancho Santa Fe shot 67-68--135 today, 7 under par, to lead the first 36 holes of the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship at Wilshire CC in Los Angeles.

Walker, age 40 and a member of The Crosby, fired four birdies and only one bogey in his afternoon round, coupled with six birdies and two bogeys in his morning 67. Walker holds a one-shot lead over Jake Sarnoff of Manhattan Beach, who shot 67-70--137. Sarnoff, age 19 and the second-place winner at this year's Pasadena City Championship, collected four birdies in his afternoon round to sit at 5 under par, and will play in the final group along with Walker.

Austin Graham of San Clemente,19, shot 69-69--138 to hold third place, fresh off a win at last weekend's Long Beach City Championship. Graham, a golfer at UC Davis and third place at the 2008 SCGA Amateur, will play with UCLA golfer and Fremont resident Taylor Travis, 18, who shot 68-71--139.

Five players are tied for fifth at 2-under-par 140, including defending (and 1996) champion Kevin Marsh of Henderson, Nev. (72-68) and one of the SCGA's most decorated amateurs, 2009 SCGA Mid-Amateur and 2004 SCGA Amateur champion Tim Hogarth of Northridge (73-67).

The field of 84 was cut to the low 42 scores and ties after the first 36 holes, with the cut line at 5-over-par 147 on the 6,506-yard Wilshire layout. Notable players who missed the cut include 1999 SCGA Amateur Champion John Pate of Santa Barbara (75-76--151), 2009 California State Amateur champion Geoff Gonzalez of Diablo (75-79--154), and 2008 SCGA Senior Amateur champion Clark Heath of Coto de Caza (82-76--158).

Tomorrow's rounds begin at 8:00 a.m. off tees 1 and 10, and live scoring will be available.

SCGA Amateur Championship Junior Clinic a success at Wilshire

LOS ANGELES, July 16 -- Putting, chipping, range action and inspirational speakers entertained 65 young golfers from four area youth golf organizations, at the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) Amateur Championship Junior Golf Clinic presented by the SCGA Foundation at Wilshire Country Club. The junior clinic precedes the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship, which will be played at Wilshire July 17-19.

Wilshire professionals and staff, SCGA staff and four notable SCGA amateur players conducted golf clinics at a variety of stations for the program members from The First Tee of South Los Angeles, The First Tee of Pasadena, Tregnan Golf Academy and Urban Youth Golf. The golfers participated in skills contests throughout the afternoon, and learned about talented SCGA amateur players and their experiences in the amateur golf arena.

Defending champion Kevin Marsh of Henderson, Nev., who also won the event in 1996, answered questions from group about his experience as a college golfer, winning the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship and playing in the 2006 Masters Tournament. Goleta’s Scott Lewis, a golfer at UC Santa Barbara and 2009 U.S. Open participant, Ladera Ranch’s Jason Bittick, the 2008 SCGA Foursomes champion, and Canyon Lake’s Robert Funk, the 2006 SCGA Mid-Amateur champion, discussed their amateur golf careers as well.

The four golfers each paired with one skills contest winner from each group, playing alongside the young golfer for a final alternate-shot hole to crown an overall winner of the event. Participants also left with a photo of themselves posing with the Big Bertha, the SCGA Amateur Championship trophy, in a mock-up cover photo of the SCGA’s FORE Magazine.

Spotlight pairings highlight SCGA Amateur Championship

STUDIO CITY, July 10 -- Pairings have been set for the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship at Wilshire CC in Los Angeles July 17-19, and among the field of 84 are several spotlight groups to watch.

• The SoCal College Rivalry group (7:48 a.m. off tee 1): Bo DeHuff IV (USC), Alex Shi Yup Kim (UCLA), and Johnny Mac Arthur (Pepperdine)
• Top 5 at the 2009 SCGA Mid-Amateur (7:57 a.m. off tee 1): Tyler Crawford (T2), William Degenhart (4), and Jason Bittick (T2)
• Past Champs group (8:06 a.m. off tee 1): Robert Funk (2006 SCGA Mid-Am), Don DuBois (2005 State Am), and Harry Rudolph (1991 State Am)
• Past SCGA Amateur Champ group (8:15 a.m. off tee 1): Kevin Marsh (1996, 2008), Tim Hogarth (2004), and John Pate (1999)
• Big West Conference 1st Team group (8:24 a.m. off tee 1): Geoff Gonzalez (2009 State Am Champ and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo golfer), Nick Delio (2008 State Am Champ and Cal State Northridge golfer), and Austin Graham (UC Davis golfer)
• Future Stars group (8:33 a.m. off tee 1): Kevin Dougherty (2009 CIF Southern Regional and State High School champion and incoming at Oklahoma State), Max Homa (incoming at UC Berkeley), and Bobby Lange (incoming at UCLA)
• The WIlshire group (9:00 a.m. off tee 1): Gary Hamblet and Beau Nellor, Wilshire members, along with E.J. Kahn

Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. off tees 1 and 10 on Friday, and the second round will begin at 1 p.m. that day. Nine-hole scoring will be available, with three-hole live scoring after the cut on Saturday and Sunday.

Kevin Marsh looks to defend his title at the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship July 17-19 at Wilshire CC

Kevin Marsh of Henderson, Nev., will look to defend his title at the 110th SCGA Amateur Championship July 17-19 at Wilshire CC.

Defending champion Kevin Marsh of Henderson, Nev., headlines this year’s 110th SCGA Amateur Championship, as he and several other decorated golfers tee it up June 17-19 at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles.

Marsh, 36, is a two-time SCGA Amateur champion, winning the 1996 playing of the event as well as the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur. That Mid-Amateur win earned him an invitation to play in The Masters Tournament the following year. He ended 2008 on a hot streak when he won the SCGA Four-Ball with George Downing and earned 2008 SCGA Player of the Year honors.

Marsh will contend with 2009 SCGA Mid-Amateur champion Tim Hogarth of Northridge, the most decorated amateur golfer in the Southland with a resume of titles that precede him. Marsh and Hogarth played together in the final group at last year’s event at Saticoy CC in Somis, but Marsh held off his competitor by two shots for the win, firing a 3-over-par 75 in the final round and finishing at 3-under-par 285 for 72 holes. Hogarth, who shot a 2-over-par 74 in the final 18, was the only other golfer under par for the championship after a 72-hole 287.

Fresh off an historic win at the 2009 California State Amateur Championship, rising Cal Poly San Luis Obispo senior Geoff Gonzalez of Diablo will join the field at Wilshire. Gonzalez was the first player in 15 years (and only the 12th overall) to win both medalist honors and the championship, breaking the “medalist curse.” Gonzalez defeated Jeff Wilson of Fairfield, the 2008 SCGA Mid-Amateur champion, 3 and 2 in the 36-hole finale at Lake Merced GC June 26.

In addition to Marsh and Hogarth, another past champions slated to play is John Pate of Santa Barbara (1999), who has seven various SCGA championship titles and was the 1995 California Amateur runner-up.

Players of note include:
• Jason Bittick of Ladera Ranch, 2008 SCGA Foursomes champion (with John Adams), runner-up (tie) at the 2009 SCGA Mid-Amateur and quarterfinalist at the 2009 California State Amateur;
• Matt Hoffenberg of Simi Valley, 2008 SCGA Match Play winner and 2008 California Amateur semifinalist;
• Kevin Dougherty of Murrieta, incoming freshman at Oklahoma State University and the 2009 CIF-SCGA Southern Regional and CIF-State High School individual champion;
• Josh Anderson of Murrieta, 2007 California State Amateur champion and Round of 16 qualifier at the 2009 California State Amateur;
• Tyler Crawford of Rancho Mirage, runner-up (tie) at the 2009 SCGA Mid-Amateur;
• Don DuBois of Newport Beach, 2005 California Amateur champion and 2009 SCGA Foursomes champion;
• Nick Delio of Valencia, 2008 California Amateur champion and semifinalist in the 2009 event;
• Robert Funk of Canyon Lake, 2006 SCGA Mid-Amateur champion;
• Clark Heath of Coto de Caza, 2008 SCGA Senior Amateur champion;
• Boyd Martin of Corona del Mar, 2008 SCGA Senior Match Play champion;
• Jordan Nasser of Anaheim Hills, 2007 California Amateur champion; and
• Harry Rudolph of La Jolla, 1991 California Amateur champion.

This year’s championship will also feature the SCGA Amateur Championship Junior Golf Clinic presented by the SCGA Foundation, on Thursday, June 16. With amateur golfers, professionals from Wilshire CC and SCGA staff, the club will host 60 young golfers from The First Tee of South Los Angeles, The First Tee of Pasadena, Tregnan Golf Academy and Urban Golf League who will participate in golf skill drills as well as listen to speakers discuss their golfing experiences. The clinic runs from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the club.

Wilshire CC, host of five SCGA Amateur Championships and two SCGA Senior Amateurs, has recently completed a restoration of its Norman Macbeth layout, at the hands of famed architect Kyle Phillips. Phillips, who had put his name on Kingsbarn Golf Links in St. Andrews, Scotland, and 10 courses in the U.S., including Incline Village courses in Nevada, brought back Macbeth’s vision to the 1919 layout.

“The layout and rhythm of the course were exceptional,” Phillips noted about the course. “At the same time, this once strategic gem had been slowly compromised by years of so-called ‘improvements’ to the point where its original inspired bunkering and pultiple angles of play had been all but eliminated.”

The SCGA Amateur marks the unveiling of the classic course, and spectators are encouraged and welcome to attend. Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. on July 17.