State Amateur Golf Final : Springer Builds Lead, Beats May on 33rd Hole

Long-hitting Mike Springer of Dinuba, Calif., built up a big lead and then held on to defeat Bob May of La Habra, 4 and 3, Saturday and win the 76th State Amateur golf championship.

“I have a good game that was capable of winning this tournament,” said Springer, 21, a senior at the University of Arizona.

Springer had a one-under-par 71 for the morning round, which he ended up leading, 4 up, after May narrowed the gap with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

May, 18, won the first three holes of the afternoon round, but Springer rebounded to win the 29th and 31st holes, then closed it out on the 33rd with a par 4.

“I wasn’t nervous playing in the tournament except when I got to the putter,” said May, who has won several Southern California junior tournaments. “I was having trouble with my putts all day. I was trying to wish them in and had lost my confidence.”