University’s Sinay Has a Green Party at SeaCliff

Brian Sinay’s pursuit of a record third Southern Section individual golf title took a positive turn Monday when he shot one-under-par 71 and was co-medalist in the Southern Regional qualifier at SeaCliff Country Club in Huntington Beach.

Sinay, a University High senior who won a section title as a freshman in 1997 and set a section record with a 65 in winning last year, tied with Jay Choi of Cerritos.

The top 24 finishers--19 of them from Orange County--advanced to the section finals next Monday at Canyon Country Club in Palm Springs, where Sinay will attempt to become just the fourth player in section history to win a third title.

Tiger Woods of Western (1991, ’93 and ‘94), Boots Porterfield of Long Beach Wilson (1942-44) and Mac Hunter of Santa Monica (1945-47) are the others.

“My expectations are low because I know how hard it is,” Sinay said. “Southern California has the best golf there is.”

Sinay’s performance at SeaCliff Monday ranked with the best--especially the way he handled slick, sloping greens that gave most players fits.

Sinay had four birdies in his round, but said making three- to four-foot par putts saved his round.

“These greens are the hardest I’ve ever played,” he said. “I’d have to give my putting a pretty good grade today.”

The treacherous greens got the best of Sinay twice, with a three-putt bogey and a four-putt double bogey. But his ability to shake off those holes kept his round respectable.

“The pins could be back or front, but there was still some kind of sloping on the greens,” Sinay said. “I just wasn’t allowing myself to get frustrated.”

Sonny Nimkhum of Cerritos was closest to the leaders with a 73. Neno Boonyaplaynun of University, Kevin Olson of Newport Harbor and Jason Katzen of Huntington Beach each shot 74.

“I started to get frustrated with my putting,” said Olson, who had 34 putts but birdied three of his last four holes. “The speed of the greens was pathetic and the break didn’t do what it looked like it did.”

With the tough greens, those who made the cut were happy just to keep playing.

“I came to qualify and that’s what I did,” said Taylor Wood of Santa Margarita, who shot 41 on the back nine but qualified with a 75. “I just started making bogeys on the back, but the important thing is that I’m going to the finals.”

Notes

The 24-player cut fell at 78 and some notable players, including Serra League champion Ryan Carter of Servite (82), Sea View League champion Mike Clarke of Woodbridge (79) and Steve Conway of Santa Margarita (81), were among the non-qualifiers.

Other County players who qualified: Matt Amen of Orange Lutheran, who shot 78; Andy Anderson (Huntington Beach, 77); Nico Bollini (Servite, 75); Jay Choe (Esperanza, 76); Wade Jones (El Toro, 76); Kevin Kohara (Huntington Beach, 78); Robbie Kramer (Marina, 78); Daniel Kush (Newport Harbor, 75); Neil McDaniel (San Clemente, 75); Ryan Miller (University, 76); Jeff Montoya (Costa Mesa, 78); Matt Schreiber (Aliso Niguel, 77); Casey Strohshal (San Clemente, 76) and Jason Woodrome (Brea Olinda, 78).