Golf: Character counts

Richard Dunn

It isn’t only golf scores that qualify players for the prestigious

Girls Junior America’s Cup Team Matches.

Individual character counts plenty in the selection process, according

to Kelly Williams, captain of the host Southern California PGA squad.

“We looked at points in national and local events and narrowed it down

to a small group of candidates,” Williams said. “Players are not only

selected on ability, but those who could best represent the team. We’re

looking for the best sportsmanship players.”From the vantage point of

yours truly this week, it seems every girl -- there are 72 in the field

-- is well-mannered and polite with a golf swing to envy.

For many of the players, representing 18 different golf associations

encompassing three countries in the West, the Girls Junior America’s Cup

is a time to be spotted by four-year college coaches.

Several West Coast colleges, including UCLA, were combing the fairways

Wednesday looking for talent, brains and a good attitude. They certainly

came to the right place.

Some sections held qualifiers to compete in the America’s Cup, while

others selected players based on high school scores and state

championships.

The Southern California team of Angela Won, an upcoming senior at

University High, Elena Kurokawa of Redondo Beach, Bolee Kim of West

Covina and Julie McKenna of Newbury Park, were selected based on point

standings from the SCPGA, USGA, PGA Junior Series and AJGA tours, as well

as “their character and ability to represent the SCPGA in a professional

manner,” SCPGA Junior Director Kevin Ostroske said.

Tom Sargent, head pro at host Mesa Verde Country Club, had some folks

scratching their head Wednesday by posting a fictitious team (Missouri)

on the scoreboard.

The Show Me State was leading the tournament with players like Shawna

Shomee, Teri Aaki, Kara Sciene and Aprile Pfulze.

“Why is Missouri being discriminated against?,” one Mesa Verde member

said to Sargent, referring to the fact that Missouri isn’t listed in the

program or recognized as the leader with its low score.

After the member read the Missouri names closely, he turned to Sargent

and quipped: “Cute.”

Added Sargent: “I can even fool a rocket scientist.”

Santa Ana Country Club is hosting its 53rd annual invitational

tournament this week, believed to be the oldest golf invitational in

Orange County.

The private affair, which will be held at Santa Ana for the first time

since clubhouse remodeling project was finished, blends a combination of

great golf and gourmet food, capped with a ballroom-like dinner/dance

after the final round.

SACC Director of Golf Mike Reehl said 112 two-man teams (or 224

players) are registered for the Santa Ana Invitational.

The tournament’s first two rounds are qualifying for the championship

flight, with team members traditionally sitting on the edge of the seats,

waiting to find out whether they made the cut into the elite field.

The rest of the teams are placed into flights according to qualifying

scores.

In September, Santa Ana Country Club will celebrate its centennial.

During the summers following World War II, many Los Angeles area

residents would vacation in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar, and, among

the visitors were members at Annandale, San Gabriel, Oakmont, Los Angeles

and Wilshire, along with other country clubs.

These golfers became regular summer guests at Santa Ana Country Club,

and, inevitably, a competition was born: The Santa Ana Invitational.

The first event was played in August 1949 and won by Dr. Bud Taylor

and guest Bob Allen of Red Hill Country Club.

On a sad note, former Santa Ana Country Club head professional Gerald

E. Hall died July 31. He was 78.

Hall, a former SACC assistant who was hired back as head pro in

November 1961 and remained at that position for 24 years, was a member of

the PGA of America for 52 years.

Affectionately known as “No Drop” by his fellow pros for his knowledge

of the rules, Hall served as head pro at Santa Ana from 1961 to 1985,

when he retired, and as Director of Golf from 1980 to ’85.

In 1987, Hall was voted the Southern California PGA Golf Professional

of the Year and was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame in 1995.

Mike Carpenter, who shot 66-71--137 to win the 29th annual Costa Mesa

City Championships at Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club, grew up at Big

Canyon Country Club, where his parents, Ted and Julie, are founding

members.

“In fact, I still remember our (Big Canyon membership) number in

1973,” Ted Carpenter said Sunday. “It was 494. We were right at the end

of the original 500.”

Ed Susolik of Costa Mesa shot 70-70--140 to finish third at the Costa

Mesa City Championships. He did not shoot 76 in the opening round on the

Mesa Linda course, which was reported in Monday’s paper.

Susolik’s 2-under 70 on the Los Lagos course Sunday in the final round

was the lowest score of the day.

Richard Dunn’s golf column appears every Thursday.