SCGA Championships and Golf Operations

Logan Park/Torrey Pines Grab Top CIF Regional Honors

Written by Jack Margaros | May 23, 2024 8:15:58 AM

 

Logan Park put together a flawless round when it mattered most at Los Serranos Country Club’s South Course to take home the 2024 CIF-SCGA SoCal Boys HS Regional Championship in historic fashion on Wednesday.

Park fired ten-under 64, which matches Rickie Fowler’s 2004 record of lowest score relative to par when he clinched the CIF Regional at The Golf Club of Rancho California (formerly SCGA Golf Course).

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“It’s crazy,” said Park. “I’ve improved a lot in certain aspects of my game and that showed today.”

When Fowler set the mark in ’04, he was a freshman and also set the course record (62), which still stands today. Park, a sophomore at Diamond Bar High School, was just one stroke from matching Los Serranos CC’s course record (63) on Wednesday.

“It’s so sick,” said Park. “I really enjoy watching [Fowler] and those players and it’s just so crazy being a champ alongside them.”

Starting his round on the back-nine, Park wasted no time putting up red numbers when he rolled in three consecutive birdies to start. Cashing in on another birdie opportunity three holes later, Park made the turn at four-under, trailing the leaders by a couple strokes.

The deficit lasted all but two holes. Park reached the green in two on the 520-yard par-five second hole and converted the ensuing eagle putt to improve to six-under and thrust himself into contention for an individual title.

It came down to Park, Logan Kim and Ethan Kim, all of whom sat at six-under with eight holes to go after the eagle. Though Park kept the petal to the metal and birdied three of his next five holes to pull away from the rest of the field.

He could taste victory as approached the 207-yard par-three 9th hole, his final of the day, holding a three-stroke cushion. Park proceeded to stick his tee shot to less than 10 feet from the cup, then roll home his eighth birdie of the day to cap a faultless 64 that will go down in the record books.

“I was dropping every putt. Anywhere from the green,” said Park. “I struck it really well today so I would stick it pretty close to the hole…Everything just worked together.”

Next up for Park is the CIF State Championship on May 29 at San Gabriel CC.

“It’s going to be my first time at states, so I’m excited about that,” said Park. “The competition is going to be strong so that’s going to be really fun. I’m hoping I can play well there”

Torrey Pines High School is back in the winner’s circle for the first time since 2018 as the team collectively shot 17-under to win the team championship.

“It’s nice that these kids get the opportunity to win it and make it to states,” said Chris Drake, Torrey Pines’ head coach of 16 years. “We really came together as a team at the right time.”

The team was led by Jay Leng and Evan Liu, who each posted rounds in the 60’s. As it gears up for San Gabriel CC next week, the Falcons are in search of their fifth state title overall and more than likely looking to avenge last year’s runner-up finish.

“This is a really well balanced team,” Drake said. “From top to bottom, we played lights out golf”

Winning Team Members (Torrey Pines HS)

Jay Leng

Evan Liu

Ethan Elleras

Roman Damnkoehler

Colin Li

Dane Oleksy

Team State Qualifiers

Torrey Pines Falcons

Oaks Christian Lions

Classical Academy Caimans

Individual State Qualifiers

Logan Park (-10) 64

Michael Riebe (-6) 68

Daniel Ho (-6) 68

Reed Arnaldo (-5) 69

Kai Hirayama (-5) 69

Nixon Lauritzen (-4) 70

Remington Ly (-4) 70

Logan Kim (-4) 70

Zuxu Wu (-4) 70