Kohut First With Birdie at Last Hole

J.T. Kohut birdied the final hole at River Ridge Golf Club on Monday to win the Oxnard City Golf Championship by one stroke over Nate Whitson.

Kohut, a graduate of Westlake High from Simi Valley who is headed to UCLA, received a fortunate break on the 497-yard 18th hole when his line to the green was blocked by a tree after an errant drive.

However, Kohut received a drop because he was hindered by a cart path and another when his ball stopped next to a sprinkler. With his path cleared, he reached the green with his second shot and two-putted from 25 feet for birdie.

Kohut finished at 67-73--140 and Whitson, of Ventura, totaled 73-68--141.

Carlos Robledo of Newhall shot 71-71--142 and tied for third with Mike Smith of Ventura, who was at 68-74--142.

Greg Sato of Los Angeles, who was tied with Kohut for the first-round lead, finished at 67-78--145 and tied for fifth with Dusty Martin of Ventura, who totaled 70-75--145.

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Kyle Kovacs of Sherman Oaks shot one-under-par 69 on Thursday and is five strokes behind heading into the final round of the 81st California Open at Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton.

Kovacs has a score of 71-65-69--205, five under, through 54 holes, with Todd Fischer of Pleasanton holding a four-stroke lead at 68-67-65--200. Bryan Helper of Scottsdale, Ariz., is second at 71-65-69--204.

Jeff Sanday of South Pasadena, who played for Cal State Northridge, led after the first round and is tied for third at 64-71-70--206.

Rick Garbowski of Newbury Park is tied for 16th at 71-69-71--211.

Gary Klahm of Simi Valley is tied for 11th after shooting 77 in the first round of the Seniors’ Division.

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Encino-Balboa Family Golf Center will participate in the Junior Golf Challenge that is expected to include more than 10,000 players nationwide on Saturday.

For $5, golfers from 5 to 15 can participate in long drive, pitching and putting competition. Each contestant will receive a T-shirt and a certificate of merit, with trophies, ribbons and golf-related prizes awarded to the winners.

Information: Troy Rodvold, (818) 986-4560.

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Lake Elizabeth Golf and Ranch Club is conducting junior golf clinics in two-week sessions throughout the summer.

The clinics are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9-11 a.m. for beginners and 1-3 p.m. for intermediates.

Cost is $60 and includes a golf rule book and a T-shirt.

Information: George Pallas, (805) 724-1221.

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Brian Edick of Valencia shot 147 for 36 holes in qualifying for the United States Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship on Monday at Fort Washington Golf and Country Club in Fresno.

Edick, a sophomore at Hart High, qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur on July 27-31 at the Country Club of York in York, Pa.

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The Woodley Lakes Junior Golf Club will start a seven-week summer session for players 7-17 on July 24 at the course in Van Nuys.

Cost is $125, with each additional sibling $100.

Information: (818) 787-8163.

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Kyle Dowden of Somis shot 79-78--157 and tied for 13th in the AJGA Junior All-Star Classic at Kingwood Country Club in Kingwood, Texas.

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Vista Valencia Golf Course will hold a parent-junior scramble tournament on July 24.

Information: (805) 253-1870.