Park fares well at invite
GLENDALE — With no prior knowledge of the course layout or conditions at De Bell Golf Club in Burbank, Crescenta Valley High freshman boys’ golfer Paul Park might consider it among his favorites now.
Park couldn’t have asked for a better first effort on the short course that recently underwent renovations.
Park carded a four-over-par 75 to finish tied for third in the A Flight competition on Wednesday afternoon at the 46th installment of the Burbank High Schools’ Invitational. He tied with Burroughs’ Kelsey Danziesen and Newbury Park’s Jonathan Nicholson, but Park took the card off.
“Paul had a couple of birdies and he played solid, par golf,” Crescenta Valley Coach John Pehar said. “I’m happy for him because he had a couple of holes where he had trouble, but he parred them.
“We have two [Pacific League] matches here later in the season, and this event can help him in league individuals and getting to CIF.”
South Torrance’s Robin Kang carded a 70 to earn medalist honors in the A Flight group. South Torrance won the 25-team event for the third time in a row after firing a 301 on Wednesday. Valencia finished second (322).
Crescenta Valley had three separate teams in the invitational, the top one finishing tied for seventh with a 336.
The Falcons have won the team competition four times between 2000-08. However, Crescenta Valley couldn’t match their predecessors’ success Wednesday.
“Overall, I’m a little disappointed with the other guys who played in Flight A,” Pehar said. “They are not playing good golf.
“It could be their mental game and just not preparing themselves.”
In the Flight B level, Crescenta Valley’s Daniel Namkung finished with an 81 to place in a four-way tie for sixth.
“That’s a good score for Daniel because he worked hard for it,” Pehar said.
Glendale also participated in the event, shooting a 387 for 17th place.
The Nitros, coached by Anthony Mohr, had four players compete in the C Flight competition. Evan Norton finished with an 89 to place sixth.
