Kim Makes Move, Wins Golf Title

Anthony Kim transferred from Campbell Hall to La Quinta because the Palm Springs area offered better golf facilities than the San Fernando Valley.

The move paid off Monday, when he shot six-under-par 66 at Canyon Country Club in Palm Springs and then defeated John Poucher of San Marcos in a two-hole playoff to win the Southern Section individual championship.

Kim, a 15-year-old sophomore, made three consecutive birdies in the middle of his front nine and played a bogey-free round to post a 66 for the third time in his last four competitive rounds.

He had the same score during the section team finals two weeks ago and shot 66 to win a local qualifier for the U.S. Open last week.

“I knew my putting was good and I was going to have a decent round,” Kim said. “I was just hoping my swing would hold up. I guess all the work I’ve been doing is now paying off.’

Brian Edick of Hart shot 68 and tied for fourth to lead all players from the region. Brian O’Flaherty of Westlake was a stroke behind Edick in a tie for seventh and freshmen Colin Wilcox of Camarillo and Jeremy Bovill of Agoura each shot 70 to tie for 10th.

Jeff Osborn of Flintridge Prep shot 71 and will join the top-25 finishers at the CIF-SCGA finals on June 5 at the SCGA Members’ Club in Murrieta.

Kim and Poucher finished a stroke ahead of third-place Taylor Wood of Santa Margarita, who birdied three of his final four holes and might have been in the playoff or won the tournament if not for two birdie putts that lipped out.

Defending champion Nico Bollini of Anaheim Servite shot 70 and tied for 10th.

“It was the type of course where you don’t have to hit driver on every hole,” Bovill said. “You can play positions, and if you play smart you have a good shot at the greens.

“I played very well [Monday]. I was hitting my irons very good and getting the ball on the green and putting well.”