Kim takes second for Glendale college men’s golf at conference match
Blustery winds couldn’t knock Peter Kim off his game.
While the Glendale Community College sophomore men’s golfer couldn’t recall having to battle unusual winds that wreaked havoc on the scenic Oakmont Country Club course before, he managed to adjust.
Kim carded an eight-over-par 79 to finish second at a Western State Conference match Monday at Oakmont. Glendale finished seventh with a 471 in the eight-team event.
“It just seemed like the wind was blowing steady the whole time out there,” said Kim, a Crescenta Valley High graduate. “I started out on the eighth hole and you were swinging into the wind on the back nine.
“I’m not used to it and I had to stay in there. I was trying for some birdies, but then started to par out. It’s just that kind of day. I like the potential that we have as a team. I think the wind just caught us off guard.”
Jacob Valente of Antelope Valley finished first with a 77.
College of the Canyons, which won the conference and state championships last season, finished first with a 409. Ventura took second at 414, followed by Santa Barbara (429), Antelope Valley (431), Bakersfield (455), Allan Hancock (462), Glendale (471) and Citrus (481).
Glendale coach Todd Tyni, who took over the program in 2014, said Kim shined on the course despite the hectic conditions.
“He gutted it out and I’m proud of him,” said Tyni, whose squad began conference play Feb. 3 with a fourth-place finish at Valencia Country Club in the Santa Clarita Valley. “He picked up his play in those tough winds and he’s the leader of our team.”
Glendale received a 96 from Brandon Lew, 98s from Casey Syrek and Parker Philbrick and a 100 from Justin Del Rosario. Glendale’s Vincent Bedros (St. Francis High) withdrew after five holes because of a back injury.
“It’s hard when you finish seventh on your home course,” Tyni said. “We would have liked to have had a better showing and we have either finished third or fourth here since I became coach.
“I think a lot of our guys have never played in these conditions. They didn’t adjust to it. We have to lick our wounds and learn from this. I see potential with our team. It’s about learning how to play college golf in that you have to be ready for any kind of situation. We’ll try to be better next week.”
Glendale will participate in another conference match Monday at Alisal Ranch Golf Course in Solvang. The following conference match will occur March 2 at Bakersfield Country Club.
