GOLF / SCGA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS : Mortgage Banker Thrives on Lack of Interest

Rick Talt of Laguna Beach spent Friday sandwiched between two of the best-known players competing in the Southern California Golf Assn. Amateur championship at Santa Ana Country Club.

The group in front of Talt, a mortgage banker, included Jeff Sanday, who won the California Amateur title last month. The group behind featured Charlie Wi, who won the 1995 Pacific 10 championship playing for California.

Sanday’s group had a gallery of about 25 and Wi’s group had a following of about 10. Wi shot rounds of 69 and 70 and is the midway leader at 139.

Meanwhile, Talt’s twosome attracted two or three spectators at best. But the lack of a gallery didn’t bother Talt, who shot rounds of 73 and 76 for a 149 on the par-71 course.

Talt, who said he is limited to “about a round of week” because of work commitments, is using this tournament to prepare for the upcoming United States Amateur qualifying competition.

Last year, he advanced to match play in the U.S. Amateur.

Talt, who grew up in Whittier, played at Arizona State then spent 1975 and 1976 on the PGA tour but said he got tired of it and quit.

“I’m just trying to get my swing used to competitive play again,” he said. “It’s sporadic and that’s what makes it tough.”

Talt’s afternoon featured a bit of frustration on the par-three sixth. His tee shot on the 188-yard hole appeared to land about five yards to the right of the green in the rough near a trap. But after five minutes of searching for the ball, he returned to the tee and hit another shot.

He ended up with a six on the hole.

“I just started to play well and I had a couple of bad breaks,” Talt said.

Wi of West Hills and Jim Lundstrom of Mission Hills were the only ones under par in the 84-player field. Wi has a two-shot lead over Lundstrom (69-72--141).

“I’m happy,” Wi said. “Hopefully, I saved some good shots.”

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Tournament Notes

Don DuBois of Coto de Caza had the low round among county residents. He shot 75-70 for a 145. He is tied for fourth place with four other golfers, including Jeff Sanday (69-76). Other locals to make the cut were: Rick Sims (76-75--151) of Placentia and Boyd Martin (74-77--151) of Santa Ana and Rick Herrera (76-76--152) of Orange. Jason Reeder of Los Angeles, who was the captain of Saddleback College’s 1994 State championship team, shot 74-78--152. . . . Chris Berry of Yorba Linda shot 81-78--159 and missed the cut, which was 153. . . . Today’s first group tees off at 7:30 a.m. and spectators are welcome but requested to observe the club’s dress code: shirts must have collars, shorts must be tailored. Denim is not allowed. Admission is free.