Local on to elite event

La Cañada High boys’ golfer Anton Arboleda has experienced a great deal success so far in his senior year, but he is still hoping to achieve more.

In March, Arboleda won the 2010 Glendora High Invitational and also went on to win the Rio Hondo League title.

In addition, he carded a 72 to finish in a nine-way tie for fifth place last month in the Southern Section Northern Individual Regional at River Ridge Golf Club’s Vineyard Course in Oxnard.

He has continued that success in the postseason, qualifying for the CIF Southern California Golf Assn. Tournament, which is taking place today at the SCGA Members Club in Temecula.

“I have been coaching for a long time, and this is the farthest anyone has gotten in a long time,” said La Cañada golf Coach Richard Tetu. “This is a big deal. Even if he just qualifies for the State Championship, that would be huge here in California.”

If Arboleda finishes in the top six today, he will qualify for the State Championship on Tuesday at the Santa Maria Country Club in Santa Maria.

“I know if I stick to my game plan, I should be able to play pretty well and advance,” Arboleda said. “There is always pressure in tournaments, but I wouldn’t say there is any extra pressure for this than there would be for a regular tournament.”

Arboleda has been practicing on his short game going into this tournament, and he went out to the course yesterday to play a practice round with his dad and map out the course.

“My goal is to win this tournament,” Arboleda said. “I think I have been playing better lately, so I just want to come in and play solid and smart.”