Westlake’s Kohut Stays Course After Hitting Frustrating Snag

J.T. Kohut of Westlake High and Chris Gray of Rio Mesa each shot two-over-par 73 to tie for fourth place in the Southern Section Northern golf regional at La Cumbre Country Club on Monday.

Kohut, Gray and nine other players from the region advanced to the Southern Section championships at Canyon Country Club in Palm Springs on Thursday by finishing among the top 24.

Ryan Wyman of Hart was a notable non-qualifier with an 85.

Kohut, who advanced to the section championships for the third consecutive year, had five birdies, two bogeys and a quintuple bogey.

The quintuple bogey came on the par-5 12th hole when he put his first two shots into a lake and had to tee up each time after taking a penalty.

He had a birdie, four pars and a bogey after that.

“A lot of times, players get real upset when they have a good round going and have a bad hole,” Kohut said. “But I was able to stay focused.”

Freshman Brian Edick of Hart placed ninth with a 74.

Shawn Andrews of Nordhoff and Justin Ohye of Calabasas tied Matt Young of Mira Costa for 13th at 76.

Zack King of Ventura, Brian O’Flaherty of Westlake and Jeff Osborn of Flintridge Prep each shot 77.

Roy Moon of Royal, Ian Medlock of Westlake, James Logeman of Oak Park and Justin Grant of San Luis Obispo grabbed the final four qualifying spots by parring the first sudden-death playoff hole after being among seven players to shoot 78.