Greenfield Sinks Putts, Wins State

Jeff Greenfield said it was the perfect way to end the golf season. But the way he played this year, a community college individual state title was the only suitable ending.

Greenfield, a freshman at Golden West, punctuated his record-setting season by shooting 76-68--144 to win that title Monday at Glendora Country Club.

Greenfield, a Fountain Valley High graduate who became the first player in Orange Empire Conference history to shoot under par for the season, won by two shots over Travis Mayte of Canyons.

Canyons easily won the team title, shooting 366-373--739 to win by 19 shots over Long Beach. Saddleback, the lone Orange County team entered, overcame a poor first round to finish third at 765 (392-373).

Greenfield, playing as an individual, did not three-putt during the two rounds, a key on greens that were fast, severely sloping and difficult to read.

“Short putting was the key,” Greenfield said. “You knew that any long putt would go about three or four feet past the hole and those comebackers will make or break you. I made all of those today.”

Greenfield almost didn’t play golf this season. After attracting no interest from four-year schools in high school, he enrolled at Golden West mired in a frustrating slump.

In preseason matches, he failed to break 80. A mental breakthrough just before the conference season began helped him over the hump.

“I became more patient on the course,” he said. “I started not thinking ahead.”

Entering the season, Greenfield had a career low of 69. This year he shot 65, 67 and twice shot 68. He is taking recruiting trips to UC Irvine, UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara.

Brian Miller (75-72--147) led Saddleback and tied for third individually with Matias Gil and Pat Kelly, both from Canyons, and former Brea Olinda High standout Brad Oh of Long Beach, who shot 74-73. Saddleback’s Jeff Strang shot 78-73.