Monday, December 01, 2008

By RON AGOSTINI
ragostini@modbee.com

last updated: August 20, 2008 10:29:58 AM

Turlock High senior Sam Smith has enjoyed a busy three months swinging down golf's road.

First there was a fourth at the Northern California High School Championships, a fifth at the State Championships, a commitment to USC and a first-round loss at the U.S. Junior. Just in case he wasn't busy enough, he mixed in other tournaments.

Smith's summer reached a climax this week, however, at the 108th U.S. Amateur. Not only did he qualify for the nation's premier amateur event, he's advanced into the coveted 64-man match-play bracket starting today.

Not bad for a 17-year-old yet to receive his high school diploma.

"That (match play) was my goal. It was a relief," he said Tuesday from Pinehurst, N.C. "Now I'll have to rethink my goals here."

A little perspective: The United States Golf Association received 7,298 entries for the Amateur, all trying to cram into a field of 315. Sectional qualifying was held at many venues, and Smith advanced from Fort Washington CC in Fresno.

The week kicked off with 36 holes of stroke play, with the low 64 continuing into the match-play bracket. Smith, playing steady if not spectacular golf, put himself in contention with a 1-under-par 69 Monday at Pinehurst No. 4, then rotated to the famed Pinehurst No. 2 -- the scene of two previous U.S. Opens and one Amateur -- for the important second round Tuesday.

Smith bogeyed four holes and failed to score a birdie but held his game together for a 4-over 74. His total of 3-over 143 placed him in a tie for 36th, good for match play with room to spare.

A plus for Smith was hearing some timely advice from Arnold Palmer ("Don't aim for the flagsticks"), though Sunday rain prevented a practice round at No. 2.

"Mr. Palmer was right. It was challenging," Smith said. "My ball-striking was off from the day before. I played conservatively."

Smith's week jogs the memory back to 1981 when another young product of Turlock Country Club -- Joey Rassett -- was qualifying medalist at the Amateur (145 at San Francisco's Olympic Club).

Match-play success at the Amateur carries some serious rewards. Quarterfinalists are exempt for next year's Amateur, and the finalists automatically advance to the 2009 Masters and the U.S. Open.

"The quarters would be great," Smith said. "The finals would be the ultimate."

SENIOR MATCH PLAY -- Rob Thompson of Merced and Jeff Burda of Modesto marched through the Spyglass Hill fog last Friday as though the Northern California Golf Association Senior Match Play Championship was on the line with each shot.

And it was.

Both won four matches to reach the final and then they locked against other in a tense back-and-forth contest -- Thompson, 61, the retired school teacher and 2005 NCGA Senior Player of the Year, vs. Burda. 55, the bank president and frequent qualifier in USGA events.

Thompson took the lead for good at the 17th and clinched when Burda lipped out a tough 3-foot putt on the final green. The 1-up victory was satisfying for the Merced CC member. Earlier this summer, Burda won the NCGA Senior Stroke Play title at Saddle Creek in Copperopolis while Thompson placed fifth.

"I hit a lot of good putts and just played steady," said Thompson, who didn't lead in the title match until the 14th. "He (Burda) missed a few and I just kept plodding along."

HOLES-IN-ONE -- Bobby Arellano, Modesto, 143-yard seventh at Saddle Creek, Copperopolis, 9-iron. ... Ryne Conder, Modesto, 192-yard 17th (Diablo) at Ridgemark CC, Hollister, 3-hybrid. ... Neil Von Tersch, Oakdale, 165-yard 12th at Oakdale CC, 6-iron. ... Jon Mahanna, Columbia, 165-yard 17th at Mountain Springs, Sonora, 7-iron. ... Ed Wallick, Modesto, 111-yard ninth at River Oaks, Ceres, 9-iron. ... John Hopper, Hughson, 128-yard first at River Oaks, 7-wood. ... Mike Moore, Hughson, 86-yard 16th at River Oaks, sand wedge. ... Phil Donaldson, Ceres, 16th at River Oaks, sand wedge. ... Gene Runca, Turlock, 133-yard sixth at River Oaks, 8-iron.

Bee sports columnist Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com.

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