Long Beach State University Athletics
Philip Chian leads after round 1 of State Amateur Championship
6/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
June 21, 2011
From the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA)
Full Scores
SAN FRANCISCO - Philip Chian of Long Beach State shot a four-under par 67 today at the 100th Annual California State Amateur Championship to leave day one in sole possession of first place. The field of 156 players kicked off the tournament at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. The event will run through Saturday.
The players used both the Lake and Ocean courses in Round 1, and will do the same for Round 2 tomorrow. Tee times will again begin at 7:30 a.m.
The rising junior Chian had a bogey-free round; his first time ever playing the Ocean course.
"I wanted to keep everything in play today," remarked the business administration major. "I didn't want to lose any golf balls. I was able to control my shots and hit 15 greens in regulation. Same plan for tomorrow on the Lake, keep the ball in play."
Golfers took advantage of an atypical June day in San Francisco - sunny skies and not a breath of wind or glimpse of fog. Players estimated the hot temperature and lack of heavy air and fog resulted in a minimum of a one-club difference and an additional 20 yards off the tee.
Just behind Chian was Ryan Thomas of Diablo and Xander Schauffele of San Diego, who both fired rounds of 68 to finish three-under par.
The leaders benefitted from the more player-friendly Ocean course, as just two of the 17 scores under par (Kevin Wentworth and Pace Johnson) were registered on the Lake course layout. Participants will switch courses tomorrow.
Defending champion Scott Travers shot an even-par 71 on the day, putting him in a tie for 18th.
"I am trying not to get ahead of myself," explained the recent Santa Clara graduate. "If I play well I will be in the top 32 and advance to match play which is the goal. The scoring conditions were really good today; I had a lot of wedges into greens which I am not used to on this course."
Freshman Ben Doyle from La Jolla High School, who last month captured the CIF/SCGA Southern California High School Championship at Brookside GC, had an impressive round of 70, and sits in a tie for seventh place.
With less than a year until the 2012 U.S. Open, USGA officials were on site today surveying recent changes to the venue (pictured left). State amateur contestants are getting a preview of the U.S. Open course as fairways have already been grown in to championship length (one is as narrow as 18 yards). Rough lengths and green speeds are not indicative of what the world's best will face next June but the teeth of the layout remains on center stage.
Schedule of Events
Stroke Play Qualifying: Lake and Ocean Courses
Monday June 20th - 18 holes of stroke play on both the Lake and Ocean Courses with 78 players per course. Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. in groups of three off tee number one.
Tuesday June 21st - 18 holes of stroke play on both the Lake and Ocean Courses with 78 players per course. Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. in groups of three off tee number one.
PLAYOFF: Following play at both courses a playoff will take place for the 32nd spot into match play.
Match Play: Lake CourseWednesday June 22nd - first round of match play will take place with 32 players starting at 7:30 a.m. in groups of two off tee number one.
Thursday June 23rd - second round of match play will take place with 16 players starting at 7:30 a.m. in groups of two off tee number one.
Friday June 24th - quarter-final matches will take place with eight players starting at 7:30 a.m. in groups of two off tee number one.
Friday June 24th - semi-final matches will take place with four players starting at 1:00 p.m. in groups of two off tee number one.
Saturday June 25th - 36-hole final match will take place starting at 7:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
