San Diego Section Golf Championship : Torrey Pines Wins Title, Trip to Cabo San Lucas From an Appreciative Dad

Arnie Parker was on the telephone calling home Monday afternoon after shooting an even-par 72 to lead Torrey Pines to its fourth San Diego Section golf championship in the last five years at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course.

“Well, Dad, we won it,” Parker said into the phone. “You got the boat ready?”

Promises, promises. Parker’s dad, Ray, had promised he would take the Torrey Pines team on a boating trip to Cabo San Lucas if it won the title.

“Sounds like you shot a great round,” Ray told his son. “We’ll get the boat gassed up.”

First, however, some of the Torrey Pines golfers have another tournament to play. Four of the six qualified for the CIF Individual championships that begin today and end Wednesday at the Singing Hills Golf Course.

Ray’s son, Arnie, was not one of those golfers. Parker shot an 87 last Monday at the San Luis Rey Downs course and missed qualifying for the individual championships. So, he put everything he had into Monday’s round.

“I just had a horrible round last Monday,” Parker said. “So I went out last Wednesday and Thursday and tried to get myself back together. I played pretty well so I was confident I could keep it going.”

Parker shot even-par 36s on both the front and back side to help the Falcons to a winning total of 381 strokes. Patrick Henry and Carlsbad tied for second with totals of 387. Patrick Henry was awarded second place on a tiebreaker.

Teaming with Parker for Torrey Pines’ winning score were Mike Suckling (75), David Walker (79), Lance Anderson (80), Charlie Johnson (75) and Troy Parrish (80). Phil Mickelson of University shot 72 to tie Parker for the day’s lowest round.

“This has been a very interesting season for us,” Torrey Pines Coach Jon Roberston said. “I got this team together at the beginning of the season and told them that they would be the guys who had to carry us through. Usually, I have a lot more depth and the kids have to fight harder for their positions on the team.”

Chances are the Torrey Pines team will remain pretty much the same next year. Only one senior (Anderson) played Monday. Parker, Suckling and Johnson are juniors. Walker is a sophomore and Parrish is a freshman.

“We’re all pretty much the same and that’s what good about our team,” Parker said. “We’re within a shot or two of each other most of the time. We have friendly rivalries.”

All six will be among the 22 San Diego Section representatives traveling to Burbank for the Southern California Individual championships June 9. Patrick Henry also will send all six of its golfers. Members of the top two teams in the San Diego Section tournament qualify automatically. Ten other area players also will be chosen to participate in Burbank.

“That’s the best way to fire up your golf team,” Robertson said. “It’s easiest to qualify for the Southern California tournament by winning as a team. That’s what I told these guys and they worked hard to earn their trip up there.”

Others worked hard, too, without much fanfare. Team golf can be an awfully lonely business. Some players threw their clubs in anger while others took out their frustrations on their golf bags.

Chris Riley, from La Jolla, sank a 60-foot putt on No. 17 and received a raised fist from one of the players in his foursome. Mostly, it was quiet as players sorted through their own scorecards while wondering how their teammates were doing.

It turned out that Torrey Pines’ players were doing the best.