GOLF / STEVE ELLING : Lundstrom Learns a Secondary Lesson

Jim Lundstrom spent a few minutes last weekend trying to dissuade Charlie Wi from pursuing a teaching career.

Lundstrom, who teaches science at a middle school in Woodland Hills, teased Wi about the long hours and hard work. Wi is a year away from completing a degree in child development at California.

Wi could just as easily have chided Lundstrom about avoiding the rigors of Southern California Golf Assn. events. Wi doesn’t need the added competition.

Lundstrom finished in a two-way tie for second, four shots behind Wi, in the 96th SCGA Amateur over the weekend at Santa Ana Country Club. Not bad for a guy most tabbed as a longshot.

Nobody knew much about the 35-year-old from Mission Hills because he hadn’t played in SCGA events for years. Lundstrom gravitated toward municipal tournaments and Southern California Public Links events.

Lundstrom won the Southern California Publinks championship in March, ending a one-year layoff from competitive golf. He hardly played at all in 1994 while rebuilding his quake-damaged home.

Lundstrom, the 1986 L.A. City champion, decided to join the SCGA this year and soon established credentials on a new front.

After he finished with an even-par 284 in the SCGA Amateur--including a one-under 70 on the final day while playing in the spotlight of the final threesome with Wi--Lundstrom admitted that he’d been selling himself short.

“As I get older, I realize that the best competition is in tournaments like this,” Lundstrom said. “These tournaments have the best college players, like Charlie and [Valencia’s] Jason Gore.”

Not to mention top players from the mid-amateur (25 to 55) age group.

“Other tournaments have some good players, but from top to bottom, in these, you’re always playing against very good people,” Lundstrom said.

*

Who says one is the loneliest number?

Scott Russell of Moorpark had never recorded a hole in one before he knocked in an eight-iron on the 13th hole at Spanish Hills Country Club on June 28. Because of the design of the hole, Russell never saw the ball drop into the cup.

Not to worry.

The following day, Russell aced the 11th at Spanish Hills with a seven-iron and saw the ball disappear into the hole.

According to a friend who made a few phone calls, the odds of recording aces on consecutive days are roughly 2,000,000 to 1.

Russell, 32, said he can’t believe his sudden good fortune--he played at Camarillo High and San Diego State yet never managed an ace--but isn’t getting sidetracked.

“I’d rather shoot 72 than make a bunch of aces anyway,” he said.

*

Three players from the region have been invited to play in the Pacific Coast Amateur, which begins July 25 at Canterwood Country Club in Gig Harbor, Wash.

The event features top players from 13 major golf associations on the West Coast. Craig Steinberg of Van Nuys, former Cal State Northridge standout Jeff Sanday and Gore are among the players representing the SCGA.

The Morse Cup event is conducted simultaneously and features three-man teams from each association. Sanday will play on the team along with John Pate of Santa Barbara and Mark Johnson of Helendale. Sanday defeated Pate in the State Amateur match-play final at Pebble Beach Golf Links last month.

Lundstrom is among the players representing the Southern California Publinks Assn.

*

Justin Wright, who completed his eligibility at San Jose State in the spring, has turned pro and is playing on the Golden State Tour.

“He wants to see if he can make some money at it,” said his father, Jim. “He figured he might as well try it for a couple of years while he’s still young.”

*

Tickets are available for the PGA Championship, Aug. 10-13 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.

Tickets are available in a variety of configurations, including two- and four-day passes. Attendance will be limited to 22,000 daily.

Applications also are being accepted for adult and teen volunteers.

Information: 1-800-PGA IN 95.