Friday, Jun. 26, 2009

Turlock's Smith advances to quarterfinals

DALY CITY — Sam Smith of Turlock, steady and strong in the clutch, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 98th California State Amateur Championship.

Smith broke open a tight match in the final four holes for a 2-and-1 victory over fellow 18-year-old Martin Trainer of Palo Alto, a future teammate of his at USC, Thursday at cold and overcast Lake Merced Country Club.

"We were talking a lot between shots. The atmosphere was loose," Smith said. "I was hoping we both would play well. It was fun because every hole counted. You couldn't afford to give one away."

Smith will meet 41-year-old Jason Bittick of Ladera Ranch (Orange County) this morning in the quarterfinals, and the winner will advance to the semifinals in the afternoon. The 36-hole final will begin Saturday morning.

Beyer High graduate Matt Bettencourt, shortly before he turned pro, reached the State Amateur quarterfinals in 2002. He lost 1-up to eventual champion Eddie Heinen of Goleta.

Smith and Trainer halved few holes in a back-and-forth match that was tied for the fifth time via Trainer's birdie at the 14th. Trainer then missed long and to the right at Lake Merced's 220-yard par-3 15th, and Smith sensed his chance. He launched a 3-iron to within 5 feet and holed it for a birdie and the lead to stay.

The 16th was halved in pars, and Trainer bogeyed to Smith's par at the 17th to end it. Smith continued his good form at Lake Merced, where he won the Northern California Golf Association Junior title in 2007.

"I've been playing well and just hitting the shots and making a few putts," said Smith, who said he shot even par against Trainer. "Bittick is a friend of one of my future teammates at USC. I'm looking forward to it."

Bittick, one of four mid-amateurs to make the quarterfinals, defeated E.J. Kahn of Los Angeles 4 and 3. The title has been won by collegiate golfers five of the last six years.