When it was all finally over, Rocklin resident Zachery Pollo finally cracked a big smile.
Pollo (pronounced Po-Lo) joined the likes of Johnny Miller, Ken Venturi and Xander Schauffele as a California Amateur champion, defeating runner-up Dylan Oyama, 5 and 4, in the 36-hole final held Saturday at par-72 Lake Merced Golf Club.
An 18-year-old sophomore-to-be at University of Arizona, Pollo is one of the event's youngest winners. Mac Hunter won the 1972 title at 16.
Immediately after his victory, Pollo started receiving congratulatory texts from Wildcats head coach Jim Anderson as well as some of his teammates, including 2021 NCGA Amateur champ Sam Sommerhauser.
"It feels good. Coming into it, I knew it would be a long week," said Pollo, a former standout on the Junior Tour of Northern California. "There's a lot of golf. You just try to prepare yourself. Fortunately, I was able to come out on top."
A Pac-12 All Freshman Team pick last season, the No.14 seeded Pollo turned into a birdie machine to close out the match. Over his last 14 holes, he'd go 8-under.
Through the first 18 holes, Pollo had numerous chances to increase what was a 1-up lead but his putter didn't cooperate. At the midway break, following a quick meal Pollo went out and repeatedly practiced making 3 to 4-footers.
In the afternoon portion, he wouldn't just sink the shorter putts, he even began draining some 20 to 30-footers, including a winning eagle putt on the 32nd hole (par-5 14th).
"I didn't think my putting was all that great on the first 18. On the second 18, my putting was beyond good," Pollo said.
A sophomore-to-be at San Diego State, the No.16 seeded Oyama had never competed in an official match play event prior to the week.
His last lead was 1-up after a par win on No.12 in the morning. Through the first 25 holes, neither player ever held more than a 2-up lead.
"There's a lot of things I will stay take away from the week," said Oyama, who picked up the game from his grandfather around the age of 5. "There are also a lot of things I need to work on, including my stamina."
As for Pollo, while the week was also grueling, he's in a way been there and done. At only age 6, he competed in a 100 kilometer bike race. He also climbed Mount Whitney as a child. His mom Carrie and dad Jay are both into fitness, with Carrie even having once competed in the Boston Marathon.
"I was also tired as the week went on, but when you're in the moment, you still remain focused," Pollo said.
In the morning portion of the final, Pollo and Oyama see-sawed with neither ever holding more than a 2-up lead. Tied through 16 holes, Pollo grabbed a 1-up lead on the 17th when Oyama failed to reach the green in regulation, leading to a bogey. The two tied the 18th hole with pars.
Recap courtesy of NCGA