GOLF ROUNDUP : Steinberg Gains Second SCGA Amateur Title

Craig Steinberg of Van Nuys on Sunday became only the second player in the past 30 years to become a two-time winner of the Southern California Golf Assn. Amateur Championship.

Steinberg, 33, rallied from three strokes down on the back nine to finish with a four-over-par 74 at Bel-Air Country Club. His 283 total, three over par, was one shot ahead of Bob Clark of Murrieta, who led for most of the tournament.

Defending champion Pat Duncan of Rancho Santa Fe finished third at 287. Mark Johnson of Sun Valley was fourth at 289.

Steinberg won the tournament for the first time in 1988 at Annandale Country Club.

Clark, 44, led by three strokes heading to the 11th hole. But he bogeyed the next two holes and a triple-bogey on the 15th put him in a tie with Steinberg.

Steinberg took the lead on the 17th when he made par and Clark bogeyed.

“Clark’s triple-bogey was certainly the turning point,� Steinberg said. “After that, I just tried to keep my shots in and not do anything that would get me in trouble. I was very nervous on the 18th tee.�

The outcome was in doubt until the final putt. Steinberg bogeyed the 18th, and Clark barely missed a 10-foot putt for par that would have forced a playoff.