SUNNY HILLS SWEEPS 2013 CIF/SCGA SOUTHERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Torrey Pines High School was smack in the middle of a dynasty, entering Thursday’s CIF/SCGA Southern California Regional Championship having won the team portion of the event three years in a row. Sunny Hills High School out of Fullerton, Calif. halted that right there, however, besting the defending champions by five strokes with a team total of 3-over par 363. The Lancers were led by Jack Chung (pictured), who fired a 66 to win the individual title after conquering a one-hole playoff. The championship was held for third straight year at Brookside GC in Pasadena.

“It feels great to win,” said Chung. “We’ve never been here as a team, so to come out with both the individual and team title is awesome. It’s just fun to all be playing such good golf as we head to the state championship.”

The top three teams from Thursday’s championship advanced to the state championship, which will take place June 5 at Quail Lodge GC in Carmel, Calif. Joining Sunny Hills up North will be Torrey Pines and Oaks Christian of Westlake Village.

Also advancing to compete for the state title, albeit the individual version, are the nine best scores of the day from men not on a qualifying team. Matching Chung’s impressive 6-under par 66 was Jordan Koelewyn of Central Valley Christian. Despite losing to Chung on the first playoff hole and missing out on the individual title, Koelewyn had an impressive round, which was highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 16th hole. He also carded five birdies and just one bogey. He claimed one of the nine individual trips to the state championship.

Other individuals advancing on to Quail Lodge are:
Ki Taek Lee, La Quinta
Robert Deng, St. Margarets Episcopal
Michael Howe, Great Oak
Brandon Tsujimoto, Damien
Blake Barens, Orange Lutheran
Alex Angard, Viewpoint
Will Strauss, La Jolla
Andre Vu, Fountain Valley

The round of the day, though, did come from the eventual champion, who carded an eagle on the par 5 6th hole, six birdies and one double-bogey. He managed to save par during the playoff, despite missing the fairway off the tee, to secure his victory.