Wilson High’s Hunter and Ryder Epson were on top of their games at the CIF-SS Southern Division regional qualifying tournament Monday at Skylinks Golf Course.
For 15 holes, anyway.
Both stumbled during the final three holes, each going 4 over, but they still were among the top four finishers on a day marked by tough, windy conditions. And when it was all over, Hunter’s even-par 72 and Ryder’s 73 were easily good enough to take the Epson brothers to another level.
Dana Hills’ Clay Feagler took medalist honors with a 2-under 70. Hunter took third on a card-off with Servite’s Matt Wilson, who also shot a 72. Ryder’s 73 left him tied for fourth.
Hunter, a sophomore, advanced for the second time to the CIF-Southern Section individual championships and SCGA qualifying tournament May 27 at Mission Lakes Country Club. Ryder, a senior, advanced for the first time.
“I played pretty good for 15 holes,” Hunter said, smiling. “Then I struggled coming in. It was pretty windy, so 4 under through 15 was a pretty good round.
“I always want to win these things, but qualifying is the main thing. I’m glad Ryder could make it, too.”
Perhaps disappointed by the final three holes, Ryder wasn’t overjoyed to advance. But he managed a smile when asked what it felt like to advance for the first time in his high school career.
“It does feel good. I know I’m going to keep playing individually as well as with the team,” he said. “I came close once before.
“I had a really good round going but just made some mistakes those last three holes. It wouldn’t have been my best round of the year but it would have been a good one.”
Twenty golfers out of more than 100 from one of three divisional qualifying tournaments advanced to the CIF-SS individual championships and SCGA qualifying tournament May 27 at Mission Lakes. Seventeen golfers shot a 76 or better.
Sam Shih of Valley Christian in Cerritos also advanced with a 74. Wilson’s Harold Calubid finished right at the cutoff for qualifying (77) and was unable to advance out of a 14-player shootout for the last three spots.
Moore League qualifiers Austin Orkin of Wilson (79), Justin Collins of Lakewood (79) and Evan Zytkowski of Poly (82) just missed advancing.
“Both Hunter and his brother were playing really well, from what I could tell,” Wilson coach Jeff Evans said. “I think it was a tough day for everyone. Anyone who approached par under the conditions was playing pretty good golf.
“To be 4 under through 15 was pretty good. So was 3 under. Clay Feagler finishing at 70 was a very good round today.”
Wilson will continue to go for state honors next Monday in more Southern Division play.
“I want to do well as an individual but I want my team to do well, too,” Hunter Epson said. “I was hoping a couple more could make it, but the team will be back next week.”
Both Epsons still have the goal of making it to the state final as individuals in front of them, as well as the same goal for the team.
“I have always had the goal of making it to state,” Ryder said. “I still have that goal alive, at least.”
Contact the writer: jimthomas@lbregister.com
