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 Delio, the reigning Big West Conference Freshman of the Year, defeated Roberts 7 and 5 in the 36-hole final at Toluca Lake’s Lakeside Golf Club. Roberts was aiming to become the youngest winner in the history of the tournament, which was staged in Southern California for the first time ever — it had been at a course in the Monterey Peninsula area the previous 96 times. Delio and Roberts were all-sqaure through the first 15 holes of the match, but Delio made birdie on two of the last three holes in the morning to take a 2-up lead with 18 holes remaining. Delio rode that momentum into the afternoon, notching three birdies and an eagle in the first four holes to build a 6-up lead. “Once I got 6-up, I just told myself to stick to my game plan — hitting fairways and greens — and force [Roberts] to make birdies to win holes,” said Delio. “When you’re down, making six birdies is a tall order.” Smashing drives that routinely eclipsed 300 yards, Delio made such vicious impact that twice during the week he cracked his ball off the tee. The second instance occurred during the final on the par-4 11th hole — the 29th of the day — though it didn’t prevent the eventual champion from making par. “I thought I hit the shot pretty well, but it just died in the air and I asked the referee to let me check it,” he said. “It was almost cracked in half.” While Delio knew Lakeside well since the Northridge squad is allowed to use the course on Wednesdays, he wasn’t initially slated to even compete in the California Am. As first alternate, he got into the event when E.J. Kahn withdrew the week before. Delio took advantage, tying for fourth in the 36-hole stroke-play portion of the event on his way to victory. The last alternate to win the competition was Westlake Village’s Charlie Wi, now a member of the PGA Tour. For more Southern California golf news, check back daily to Southland Golf. |
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