City Section Title Par for Granada Hills

There’s a familiar face on top of the City Section golf world, but it has a slightly different look to it this time.

Granada Hills High won its fifth City Section title in six years after shooting a score of 398 on Tuesday at Wilson Golf Course in Griffith Park, defeating Chatsworth by nine strokes.

Unlike the Darren Angel-led teams that won three of those titles, this year’s version has no superstar, no pizazz.

It does have consistent shooters, even-keel personalities and a tightly knit team.

“This is probably as satisfying as any of the titles,” Granada Hills Coach Joe White said. “We wanted it, no question about it.”

Darrin Schneider, who shot 72-76--148 to pace Granada Hills, never doubted his team would come through despite two losses to Chatsworth during the season.

“I though we had a good chance,” Schneider said. “I said we would break 400 both days. Nobody believed me, but we did.”

Granada Hills shot 393 in the first round on Monday and trailed Chatsworth by a stroke.

Another difference in the Highlanders this season is the presence of Saki Uechi and Julie Park, the top two girls in the City Section.

Uechi, who won the girls’ individual title for the second consecutive year, shot 79-81--160, second-best on her team. Park tied for third on her team at 81-81--162.

Granada Hills is the first team to win the City Section title with two girls in the lineup.

“Those girls are good,” Schneider said. “They’re just as good as most of the guys out here. Everybody knows that.”

The boys’ individual title went to Burley Stamps of Palisades, who nearly squandered a six-stroke lead he built in the first round Monday, when he shot a City Section finals-record 65 at Harding Golf Course.

Stamps, defending champion, shot seven-over-par 79 on Tuesday and beat teammate Chris Whitaker by four strokes.

Whitaker, who started the day 11 strokes behind Stamps, pulled to within three shots after Stamps made a double-bogey at the 11th hole, but Whitaker made bogeys on 11 and 12, and got no closer.

“It’s hard to play when you’re up big,” Stamps said. “You don’t feel the pressure to make good shots.”

Granada Hills and Chatsworth advance to the CIF-SCGA championships June 2 at the SCGA Members’ Club in Murrieta. The top 10 individuals not from Granada Hills and Chatsworth also advance.

Players from the region who advanced are Scott Bashin of Birmingham at 73-79--152, Tommy Manswan of El Camino Real at 78-76--154 and Keith Romar at Birmingham, 75-84--159.