Burns Wins by 2 Strokes; CSUN 3rd

Bob Burns of Cal State Northridge held on Friday to post a two-stroke victory in the NCAA Division II golf championships at Loxahatchee Country Club.

Burns, who opened a six-stroke lead after Thursday’s play, was the only player to match par on the 6,850-yard, Jack Nicklaus-designed course, earning medalist honors at 288 after a final-round three-over-par 75 Friday.

His teammates were not as fortunate. The Matadors shot a closing 300 for 1,198 and slipped from a second-place tie to third in the 17-team field. As expected, Florida Southern rolled to its fifth title in the past 10 years, posting a one-under 287 for 1,170 and a 26-stroke victory.

All five Florida Southern players placed among the top 10. Columbus College of Georgia, the 1989 champion, closed fast with a 294 and took second at 1,196.

Diego Ventureira, a native of Buenos Aires, shot 70 and finished second, two strokes behind Burns at 290.

“We knew it would be difficult to get the (team) victory,” said Northridge Coach Jim Bracken, “but it’s disappointing that we didn’t stay in second place. . . . Our guys played hard all week, and our hats are off to Florida Southern.”

Burns’ victory was the third in Northridge’s history. Corky Bassler shared the title with Mike Spang of Portland State in 1969 and Vic Wilk won outright in 1982.

Northridge, which won Division II team titles in 1969, 1973 and 1974, will play in Division I next season.

Burns, who missed only 10 greens in 72 holes, did not make a birdie Friday.

“I wasn’t scrambling,” the junior from Granada Hills said. “I just didn’t make any putts. I heard at the 16th green that I had a three-shot lead and I just tried to par in.”

Other results for Northridge on Friday: Sang Hyun, 73-303; Jeff Sanday, 79-304; and Corby Segal and Wayne Merich, each 76-312.