UCI’s Pete Fernandez wins Long Beach City Championship

Pete Fernandez of UC Irvine won the 43rd annual Long Beach Men’s City Championship that concluded Sunday.

Fernandez, a Costa Mesa resident who will be a junior with the Anteaters’ men’s golf program this fall, finished with a 54-hole total of 16-under-par 200 (67-62-71), one shot ahead of Joey Kron of Coto de Caza in the tournament’s championship flight.

Fernandez, who shot a 10-under 62 in the second round at Recreation Park Saturday, had a final round of 71 at Skylinks Golf Course, including two-under over the final five holes.

He finished fourth in the event a year ago and with this victory earned an automatic berth in the Long Beach Open July 25-28.

Fernandez was an All-Big West Conference second-team selection for the Anteaters last season when he had a 74.06 average and four top-10 finishes.

Jake Knapp, a former Estancia High standout who plays for UCLA, finished tied for 25th (72-65-75—212) in the championship flight.

UCI’s Jacob Schulze, a Huntington Beach resident, finished tied for 20th (72-64-74—210) and Bhuvan Potluri was T25th (73-68-71—212). Ryan Knapp, a former Estancia High standout who plays for UCI, was T57 with a three-round total of (71-74-73) 218, along with Costa Mesa’s Bryce Sheridan (71-69-78).

Costa Mesa residents Jordan Gold (69-74-71) and Yuya Okada (71-73-70) tied for 34th at 214.

— From staff reports