Aaron Meeks Wins Medalist Honors in State Amateur

Aaron Meeks, 23, of Walnut, put together seven birdies and an eagle to fashion a four-under-par 68 to win medalist honors Wednesday in the 77th California State amateur golf championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Meeks, a recent graduate of the University of Arizona, finished the 54-hole medal play portion of the tournament at one-under-par 215 to finish three strokes ahead of Patrick Duncan of Rancho Santa Fe and Craig Steinberg of Van Nuys.

Duncan, 32, who played in last week’s U.S. Open, had a 70, and Steinberg a 71 for the round to come in at 218.

At 219 were Scott Alquist of Santa Ana and second-round leader Greg Starkman of Beverly Hills, followed by Larry Salk of Los Angeles at 220.

It took a score of 229 or better to qualify for today’s start of match play, which will continue through Saturday.