SOUTHERN SECTION GOLF REGIONALS

In the Southern regional:

Sunny Hills wins--As expected, Sunny Hills won the qualifying tournament at Green River. Huntington Beach freshman Jason Katzen pulled off the unexpected, shooting a two-under 70 on the Orange course to help the Oilers finish third and also qualify for next week’s team championship.

The Lancers shot eight-over 368 to edge second-place Lakewood by two strokes. Last season, Sunny Hills finished second to Santa Margarita at the section team championship.

Huntington Beach (373) finished 10 shots ahead of fourth-place Long Beach Wilson. The Bruins qualified in the final spot for the team final, edging Orange League-champion Brea Olinda (384) and Sunset League-champion Los Alamitos (385).

Sunny Hills sophomore Dusty Schmidt earned medalist honors, shooting three-under-par 69--including two eagles--in the windy afternoon conditions. Teammate Jin Park shot 70, although he bogeyed his final hole.

Huntington Beach advanced to the finals thanks in large part to Katzen, the team’s No. 6 player.

“His teammates told me that on his last hole, he had a five-foot putt for a 68,” Huntington Beach Coach Bill Seckington said. “and he three-putted. He had never been in that situation before. He’ll learn from it and make it next time.”

Ryan Gale shot one-under 71 for Huntington Beach, which like Sunny Hills, had all five scoring players shoot in the 70s.

Brea and Los Alamitos didn’t fare as well with each of its top players shooting in the 80s.

Although Brea’s No. 6 player, David Barbera, shot 73, teammate Brad Sader struggled to an 81. Los Alamitos’ No. 6 player Drew Nordee also shot 73, but No. 1 player Brett Dolch shot 81.