Valley Trio Dominates L. A. Junior Golf Event

Three Valley entrants swept the girls’ division in the 40th Los Angeles Junior Golf Championships on Tuesday, with 15-year-old Emilee Klein of Studio City shooting an even-par 72 for a two-stroke victory at the Sepulveda golf courses in Encino.

Klein, who shot a 75 the first day, had a total of 147. Heidi Voorhees, 16, of North Hollywood, shot a 78 in the final round of the two-day event and finished second at 149 while Renee Hunt, 16, also of North Hollywood, had rounds of 76 and 75 for a 151 and third place.

In the boys’ division, Chris Tidland, a senior at Valencia High in Placentia, was an easy winner, compiling a two-day score of 143. His rounds of 70 and 73 gave him a four-stroke win.

Klein, a sophomore at Notre Dame High, began the day four strokes behind Voorhees. But an even-par round that included three birdies and three bogeys was enough to overhaul the first-day leader. Klein won the 11-and-under division of the same tournament four years ago.

“To win is exciting,” said Klein, who has played in several national amateur tournaments. “Winning is important. If I can win here, against this type of competition, then I know I can win anywhere. This is where the great golfers in the country come from. This is the place to play if you want to see the best competition.

“The other girls know I play pretty steady, and that might have put some pressure on them.” Late in June, the Southern California Professional Golf Assn. will send three junior women and three junior men from the area to play a team of French junior players at the Paris Country Club. Voorhees, who also attends Notre Dame, and Klein remain first and second on the girls’ list with four events remaining before the team is determined.

Tidland, 17, was playing in the city’s Junior Championship for the first time. He shot a 70 on Monday but trailed Jim Skinner of Pacific Palisades by a stroke. Skinner, however, shot an 80 on Tuesday and Tidland was never challenged.

Tidland carded three birdies and four bogeys Tuesday, scoring all of the birdies on par-fives after reaching the greens in two shots.