Long-standing tournament makes return to Oakmont Country Club
A field of 84 golfers from across the Southland will take to the Oakmont Country Club to participate in the 116th rendition of the Southern California Amateur Championship, which will be held Friday through Sunday.
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One of the most prestigious and long-standing tournaments in the state will make its return to scenic Oakmont Country Club for the first time since 1980.
A field of 84 golfers from across the Southland will take to the local course to participate in the 116th rendition of the Southern California Amateur Championship, which will be held Friday through Sunday.
Oakmont is no stranger to hosting the event, as the championship previously took place on the Glendale course in 1941, 1950, 1959, 1970 and 1980.
“It’s one of the biggest tournaments in Southern California and even in the state,” Oakmont professional John Milligan said. “There’s always going to be a lot of excellent golfers and it’s got a great history with so many famous players who have won the tournament.
“The members and the public will have a chance to see four rounds of quality golf.”
The stroke-play tournament on the par-71 course will begin Friday and will feature 36 holes. The low 42 plus ties from Friday will advance to Saturday and the final round will take place Sunday on the 7,015-yard course.
A pair of Oakmont members will take part in the tournament. Keith Kinsel of La Cañada Flintridge and Kris Hons of Glendale will appear in the event, which was won last year by Beau Hossler by four strokes over Tyler Torano at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe. Kinsel has participated in the championship several times, the last coming in 2012, and Hons will make his inaugural appearance. Kinsel and Hons will tee off at 7:57 and 8:06 a.m., respectively, on Friday.
Kinsel, a Crescenta Valley High graduate, said Oakmont will provide the field with a stiff test.
“First, it’s going to be tricky to get through playing 36 holes on the first day,” Kinsel said. “You’re probably going to have to have a good short game and the greens will probably be difficult for everybody.
“It will be great for the club to host the championship again. It’s a very cool event and I’ve had some decent finishes in years past.”
Hons said it will be an honor to compete in the event on his home course.
“It’s great that you get to go out there and have the opportunity to match up with some of the elite golfers,” said Hons, who won the club championship June 14. “There’s so much history and tradition with the event and Oakmont and it will be great to be a part of it.
“It’s a very big course. The greens are going to be firm and fast, so you know the shots that you can and can’t miss. You have to understand how things go and how they work in all parts of your game.”
Among those who have won the event are Tiger Woods and Al Geiberger. Those who have won the championship at Oakmont are Pat Abbott (1941), Jim Ferrie (1950), Geiberger (1959), Gary Sanders (1970) and Jon “Bud” Ardell (1980).
Brett Kanda, a Flintridge Prep graduate and former All-Area Boys’ Golfer of the Year, captured the title in 2007 at Victoria Club in Riverside. Charles E. Orr won the championship in its first year in 1900 at Los Angeles Country Club.
