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2012 All-SCV Boys Golfer of the Year: Modified and mastered

Valencia’s top golfer had to reinvent his game, but it paid off
Posted: June 19, 2012 1:55 a.m.
Updated: June 19, 2012 1:55 a.m.
By Cary Osborne Signal Sports Editor

Valencia senior golfer Jonathan Chang was a medalist in four of six Foothill League matches this year.

 

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All-SCV Boys Golf Team

Chad David • Hart • Senior

No one had a more surprising finish in the Foothill League than David. Not that he wasn’t steady, as he shot Hart’s lowest score in three of six Foothill matches. But with his medalist performance at the sixth and final match of the season, he leapfrogged all the way from ninth to fifth in the league overall. That gave him a spot in the Northern Individual Regional. He shot a 6-over 78 there.

Brandon Dooley • West Ranch • Senior

Dooley had one of the best all-around seasons for an athlete in the Santa Clarita Valley. The All-Santa Clarita Valley and Foothill League player of the year in boys soccer took a nothing-to-lose approach to the golf course in 2012 and it paid off. The senior finished seventh overall in league competition, with a best of 2-over 74 in the third Foothill match. He was one of only three locals to make the second round of the indivdual postseason, shooting a 76 and 81 in two matches. For the Wildcats team, he shot a 78 in the Northern Team Regional.

Joey Downey • West Ranch • Senior

In Foothill League play, Downey was West Ranch’s best golfer. He finished second overall in Foothill League play individually, just four strokes behind Foothill League MVP Jonathan Chang. The two-year varsity golfer blossomed in 2012 and had a 73.6 stroke average in league play. The junior shot an 84 (Northern Team Regional) and 82 (Northern Individual Regional) in two playoff rounds.

Isaac Kim • West Ranch • Senior

The senior finished third overall in Foothill League play and had a 75.6 stroke average in league play. Kim was medalist in the second league match with a 2-under 69 at Robinson Ranch. In the first round of individual play in the CIF postseason, Kim shot an area best 2-over 73 in the CIF-Southern Section Northern Individual Regional at La Posas Country Club in Camarillo. Kim’s prep career ended with a 78 at the Southern Section Indivdual final. He also shot a team best 76 in the Northern Team Regional first-round playoff match.

Braden Lewis • Saugus • Sophomore

Just a sophomore, Lewis was the surprise lead golfer for Saugus this season. The talented golfer was easily one of the most consistent golfers in the Foothill League, finishing fourth overall. He was Saugus’ best golfer in four of six league matches and shot a 75 in the Northern Team Regional. Lewis ended his season in the first round of individual play with an 81 in the Northern Individual Regional.

Honorable Mentions

Alek Golden • Canyon • Senior

Justin Lee • Golden Valley • Junior

Paul Schneider • Hart • Junior

Zack Leonard • Saugus • Senior

Glen Lee • Valencia • Sophomore

Casey May • West Ranch • Junior

 

One mid-June day, Valencia golf coach Robert Waters was asked about the whereabouts of Jonathan Chang — the now Valencia High graduate.

He said something to the tune of: He’s on the golf course right now. He’s on the golf course yesterday. He’s on the golf course tomorrow.

Actually, Waters was wrong that day.

Chang was on a plane to New Jersey for a recruiting trip to Rutgers University.

But it’s because of his dedication to the game and the skill he has that Rutgers would want to talk to the 18-year-old golfer face to face.

In the Santa Clartia Valley, it was clear from day one in 2012 that Chang was the premier golfer in the area.

That proclamation was made on March 27 when Chang shot a 3-over 75 at Valencia Country Club.

He was the medalist in the Foothill League opener.

That day, he said he was starting to feel his game changing for the better.

In 2010, he was the Foothill League Most Valuable Player. But feeling he peaked with his mechanics, he went and changed them, which produced a disappointing junior season in his eyes.

Though he still made the individual postseason, he wasn’t a factor in the Foothill League MVP race.

But it was a prize that was one of his targets this year.

In four of six Foothill League matches, the golf junkie was the medalist.

His scores helped Valencia achieve a second-place finish — which may have been a surprise being that the Vikings were slotted for third place by preseason prognostications.

As for Chang, he was the favorite coming in and he delivered.

In the playoffs, he was steady. Despite Valencia not advancing, he shot a 3-over 75 at the CIF-Southern Section Northern Team Regional.

In individual postseason play, he shot 75 (Northern Individual Regional), 73 (Southern Section Finals) and 78 (CIF/SCGA Tournament/Southern California championship).

As a freshman entering the Foothill League, he was talked about as a future star.

Chang had all the makings — he was tall and getting stronger; he had a short game and was impressive off the tee; he was steady; and he worked.

He was always on the golf course.

Odds are, that’s where our choice for the 2012 All-Santa Clarita Valley Boys Golfer of the Year is right now.
Jun. 19, 2012 01:55a.m. EDT 2012 All-SCV Boys Golfer of the Year: Modified and mastered The Signal

One mid-June day, Valencia golf coach Robert Waters was asked about the whereabouts of Jonathan Chang — the now Valencia High graduate.

He said something to the tune of: He’s on the golf course right now. He’s on the golf course yesterday. He’s on the golf course tomorrow.

Actually, Waters was wrong that day.

Chang was on a plane to New Jersey for a recruiting trip to Rutgers University.

But it’s because of his dedication to the game and the skill he has that Rutgers would want to talk to the 18-year-old golfer face to face.

In the Santa Clartia Valley, it was clear from day one in 2012 that Chang was the premier golfer in the area.

That proclamation was made on March 27 when Chang shot a 3-over 75 at Valencia Country Club.

He was the medalist in the Foothill League opener.

That day, he said he was starting to feel his game changing for the better.

In 2010, he was the Foothill League Most Valuable Player. But feeling he peaked with his mechanics, he went and changed them, which produced a disappointing junior season in his eyes.

Though he still made the individual postseason, he wasn’t a factor in the Foothill League MVP race.

But it was a prize that was one of his targets this year.

In four of six Foothill League matches, the golf junkie was the medalist.

His scores helped Valencia achieve a second-place finish — which may have been a surprise being that the Vikings were slotted for third place by preseason prognostications.

As for Chang, he was the favorite coming in and he delivered.

In the playoffs, he was steady. Despite Valencia not advancing, he shot a 3-over 75 at the CIF-Southern Section Northern Team Regional.

In individual postseason play, he shot 75 (Northern Individual Regional), 73 (Southern Section Finals) and 78 (CIF/SCGA Tournament/Southern California championship).

As a freshman entering the Foothill League, he was talked about as a future star.

Chang had all the makings — he was tall and getting stronger; he had a short game and was impressive off the tee; he was steady; and he worked.

He was always on the golf course.

Odds are, that’s where our choice for the 2012 All-Santa Clarita Valley Boys Golfer of the Year is right now.

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