Under an unnaturally cloudy sky, the inaugural Southern California Junior Amateur lived up to its billing this weekend at Industry Hills GC at Pacific Palms Resort. Sean Maruyama, a sophomore in high school who is already committed to UCLA, took home the boys title while playing the Eisenhower “Ike” Course. Angelina Kim, an impressive eighth-grader, was victorious on the Zaharias “Babe” Course.
In the boys division, 36 holes just weren’t enough as Maruyama and Edwin Kuang both finished at 5-under par. On the final hole of the day, Kuang had a 20-footer for birdie and the win, but it dramatically fell inches short.
In the playoff, the duo parred the first hole and moved to hole No. 13, a 197-yard par 3. Kuang flew the green and executed a miraculous chip shot just to have a look at par. It was all for not, however, as Maruyama rolled in a 12-footer for birdie and the victory.
“It means a lot,” said an elated Maruyama. “I haven’t won in a while so it really feels great.”