Locals have runs fall short of postseason
PASADENA — While he showed plenty of improvement throughout his second round of the Pacific League individual finals on Wednesday afternoon at Brookside Golf Course No. 2, Paul Park won’t forget the experience he gained having been a part of the field.
Park, a freshman on the Crescenta Valley High boys’ golf team, saw his bid to qualify for the CIF Southern Section Individual Tournament fall short after he carded a two-over-par 72.
However, he’s already sizing up the competition for next season with the goal of taking the next step.
“I had a lot better round [Wednesday] compared to my first round Tuesday,” said Park, who carded a 13-over-par 85 on Brookside Golf Course No. 1 on Tuesday and finished 11th overall with a two-day score of 157 and a total league season score of 394. “I just hit the ball a lot better and my putting was good.
“It’s a good experience for my first time competing in this tournament.”
Crescenta Valley Coach John Pehar said Park will use the rounds as a stepping stone and bridge the gap entering next season.
“He’s come a long way,” Pehar said. “It’s something new for him and I think he’s got the potential to have a good future.
“He’s one of the best freshmen I’ve had in a while. To go from an 85 to a 72 says a lot about his character.”
Those who qualified for the CIF Individual Tournament, which will be held at 1 p.m. May 16 at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo, were Richard Jeong of Arcadia, Evin Davis of Pasadena, Bryan Shin and Clayton Ojeda of Arcadia and Burroughs’ Kelsey Kanzeisen.
The scores from the league prelims and finals, plus the three lowest scores from the first four regular-season matches of the season, determined who would advance to the playoffs.
Jeong shot a 74 on Wednesday to finish with a two-round score of 148 and a season score of 359 to win the league championship. Davis notched a 146 for a season score of 360, followed by Shin (146; 364), Ojeda (156; 372) and Kanzeisen (151; 376).
Alan Cho of Hoover opened the tournament with a 76 on Tuesday. However, the senior encountered trouble Wednesday and finished with a 90 and a season score of 394 for 11th place.
“He just had a real tough round,” Hoover Coach Vigen Jilizian said.
Also competing Wednesday were Adrian Chia, Aaron Peskett and John Lee of Crescenta Valley.
Chia had an 80 and finished with a two-round score of 161 and placed 13th with a season score of 396. Peskett took 14th after carding a 83 for a two-round score of 174 and 407 overall. Lee had an 87 for a two-round tally of 168 and a season total of 409 for 15th place.
