Lepak Goes Long Way to Win Tournament

Now maybe John Lepak’s fellow competitors will stop asking him why such a young kid needs such a long putter.

Lepak, a recent graduate of Hacienda Heights Los Altos High, won the American Junior Golf Assn. Tournament of Champions on Friday at Coto de Caza by smoothly stroking home a seven-foot par putt on the fourth playoff hole. On the last hole of regulation, Lepak sank a 10-foot birdie putt to tie Brady Stockton of San Ramon and Kris Mikkelsen of Woodstock, Ga., at five-under-par 283.

Mikkelsen dropped out after bogeying the first playoff hole. Lepak had chances to win on the first three playoff holes, but he missed 10-to-12 foot birdie putts each time. Lepak and Stockton both overshot the fourth playoff hole--No. 18, a 409-yard slight dogleg left. Stockton chipped to within three feet and Lepak’s chip skipped seven feet by the hole.

Lepak knocked his ball in the back of the cup, then Stockton’s putt rolled around and out.

Lepak’s victory is his first on the AJGA tour. Stockton won this year at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

“I was wondering if any of them were going to drop,” said Lepak, who shot 74 Friday. “They all felt good. I guess I just read them wrong. Unfortunately, I won on a par. I feel kind of bad because Brady’s a close friend. But I’ll take it.”

Lepak, who finished second twice this season, might have to give his dad partial credit for the victory.

“I was struggling with my putter this summer,” said Lepak, who will attend Oregon State on a golf scholarship. “My dad went to a long putter and he started putting well, so I decided to try it about a month ago. I’ve been putting better ever since.”

Immediately, Lepak had to endure the wrath of his buddies on the AJGA tour.

“I got a lot of ribbing when I brought it out,” Lepak said. “My friends told me I belonged on the senior tour. The kidding’s been getting less and less each week.”

Stockton, who has signed with Arizona State, said Lepak deserved to win.

“I struggled a little in the playoff,” said Stockton, who shot 70 Friday. “He was knocking it close. I’m glad he won.”

Paula Marti of Spain won the girls’ division on the second playoff hole.

Notes

Nick Seymour of Tustin was the top county golfer in the boys’ division. He finished tied for 27th at 297. Candie Kung of Fountain Valley led the county girls with a ninth-place finish at 297.