Indian shines in CIF
BURBANK — Burroughs High boys’ golfer Kelsey Danzeisen might have gotten some sound advice about how to navigate through postseason play.
Danzeisen, a junior, has taken lessons from his uncle, who is a golf professional in Oregon.
“He’s probably the main reason why I got involved in golf in the first place,” Danzeisen said of his uncle, Austin Maki.
Maki, who attended Estancia High, knows a little something about being successful in high school golf, as he won the CIF Southern California Golf Assn. Finals in 1990, beating Hart’s Jason Gore in a sudden-death playoff.
Danzeisen no doubt did his uncle proud Monday, as he was among the qualifiers moving on after playing well in the CIF Southern Section Northern Individual Regional at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo.
Danzeisen fired a five-over-par 76 to finish tied for 20th. It was an impressive accomplishment for the junior, taking into consideration he placed fifth last week in the Pacific League tournament.
“It’s just amazing that Kelsey placed fifth in league, and he ended up tying [Arcadia’s Richard Jeong], who won the league, in the CIF tournament,” Burroughs Coach Greg Everhart said. “That is pretty impressive to move up like that.”
In his round, Danzeisen had one birdie, pared 11 holes and had six bogeys.
“I just tried to go out and play a solid game, and I just wanted to play it safe and not take too many chances,” Danzeisen said to his approach to his round. “I was hitting my drives pretty well, and I think I hit most of the greens.”
His effort allowed Danzeisen to move on to the CIF Individual Final, which will take place Monday at Industry Hills Golf Club’s Babe Zaharias Course.
The cutoff to move on was 77, as the top 30 qualified for next week’s event.
“I’m looking forward to the next tournament,” Danzeisen said. “This has been just a great experience for me.”
If he does well next Monday, Danzeisen will advance to the Southern California Golf. Assn. Regional Qualifier on May 31 at Pasadena’s Brookside Golf Course.