Gregori’s Ebster wins Maroney, Oakdale events in same week

A trio of Modesto golfers are the hottest thing going on the Junior Golf Association of Northern California tour.

And Christopher Ebster is the hottest of the hot.

Ebster, a junior-to-be at Gregori High School, won the George Maroney Junior Memorial tournament, contested at Creekside and Dryden Park, on Thursday with a two-day total of 137 (70-67). That victory came just three days after he won the Oakdale Rotary Junior Classic with a tournament-record 4-under-par 68.

In both events, Ebster finished just ahead of Daniel Pena, a senior-to-be at Johansen High, and former teammate Matt Robinson of Central Catholic.

Pena was second in both events, carding a 139 (70-69) at the Maroney and a 70 in Oakdale. Robinson was tied for third at the Maroney with 141 (69-72) and third outright in Oakdale (72).

“Chris is the hottest golfer on our tour right now,” said Ken Miller, the owner of McHenry Golf Center and a rules official for the Maroney. “At the Bumgardner two weeks ago, he was second overall.

“It’s kind of a unique year where we have some locals that are just on fire. It was a neat threesome with three local boys in the final group.”

Ebster recorded seven birdies each day at the Maroney and had a chance to card a 65 in the second round. However, with the tournament title firmly in hand, he three-putted from three feet.

“I had three feet for birdie, and I missed that,” said Ebster. “That left me about a six-inch putt, and I missed that. I was pretty mad, but it was OK because it didn’t cost me the win.

“I’m still pretty mad about it, though.”

With the victory, Ebster overtook Robinson as the JGANC’s overall points leader. Pena is third on the list.

What made it even sweeter for Ebster is that Pena had beaten him in every major high school tournament this past season.

Pena beat out Ebster for the Modesto Metro Conference title and took the Sac-Joaquin Section South championship at Rancho Del Rey in Atwater on May 4. A week later, at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton, Pena was second while Ebster was fourth. The pair tied at the CIF Northern California tournament held at Corral de Tierra Country Club in Salinas, but Pena was out in front once again at the state championships at Poppy Hills.

“I don’t really feel like there’s a rivalry with Daniel,” said Ebster, who is vacationing with his family at Lake Tahoe, where they’re taking in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. “We’re cool with each other.”

Ebster said he’s been working on his short game recently and that’s made all the difference in his game.

“The last two weeks, I’ve gone to the range with about 200 balls and just worked on my wedges,” said Ebster. “Right now, I’m hitting to within 10 feet every single time, and I’m making those putts. I never missed a put inside of 10 feet.

“Until that last one.”

Angela Bagasbas of San Ramon was the Maroney girls champion, lapping the field by eight strokes with a 141 (73-68). Turlock’s Bergen Benedict tied for fourth at 154 (77-77).

Turlock’s Sarah Garcia was the top finisher on the girls side at Oakdale, tied for second with a 7-over 79. She and Brentwood’s Danielle Dickerson were two shots back of Stockton’s Madeline Zunino.

Holes in one – From Oakdale Golf & Country Club: Rick Bussell, 99-yard sixth hole, gap wedge; John Morgan, 141-yard 16th hole, 6-iron; Bev Poff, 127-yard ninth hole, 5-iron; John Whittey, 136-yard 16th hole, 7-iron; William Phillips, 147-yard 12th hole, 6-hybrid.

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Gregori’s Ebster wins Maroney, Oakdale events in same week."