Hot Springs sinker

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — An eagle putt would have saved Estancia High junior Ryan Knapp from a two-hole playoff, but at the end of the day, it didn’t matter.

Monday afternoon, Knapp became the first golfer from Estancia to qualify for the CIF-Southern California Golf Assn. individual tournament since Austin Maki did it in 1990. Maki went on to win the CIF state title and was named the California player of the year.

Knapp will play May 29 at the SCGA Golf Course in Murrieta.

On the ninth hole at Mission Lakes Country Club, Knapp had an opportunity to eagle on the par-five with a 35-foot putt. He made the green, about 530 yards away, with his three-wood and a three-iron. Knapp’s eagle attempt just missed the cup, and Knapp birdied to finish the day at four-over-par 75.

Ten other golfers shot 75, and Knapp was one of six who advanced from the field of 11 in a two-hole sudden-death playoff.

“It went right by the edge,” Knapp said. “I thought I made it actually. I thought it was going in, so when it went by the hole, I was kind of disappointed, but I still made birdie.

“I kind of had an idea that 75 was going to be the number.”

Andrew Perez of Santa Barbara and Johnny MacArthur of Hart both shot two-under-par 68 to take first place.

Knapp made par on two of the most difficult holes at Mission Lakes, 10 and 11, while several of his counterparts bogeyed in the playoff, allowing him to advance.

“He played for three days in heat,” Estancia golf coach Art Perry said. “He plays all year round against the best competition in the country. He’s a seasoned veteran.”

There were record-high temperatures in nearby Palm Springs, and the high for Desert Hot Springs Monday was 105 degrees.

Knapp spent the weekend in Indio playing the a SCGA Toyota Tour cup event at Terra Lago Golf Club, and it was hot there, too. Knapp also plays in American Junior Golf Association events.

“It was good to get used to [the heat], but it’s also a long three days,” said Knapp, who finished tied for 15th.

— From staff reports