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"I'm not sure that the most talented player I saw wasn't myself." |
-Johnny Miller |
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 Southern California produces more than its share of talented youngsters. These 10 players have already shown they are capable of rising to the top of the amateur ranks, and they're on track for success at the professional level. They are the future of Southland golf. Jennie LeeAge: 21Southland connection: Graduate of Huntington Beach's Edison High School Marquee moment: As a freshman at Duke, Lee finished second at the NCAA Championships to lead the Blue Devils to another national title. Why we picked her: Lee, now a junior at Duke, has been instrumental in helping her squad win the past two national championships. Her accolades might be overshadowed by teammate Amanda Blumenherst, but Lee has accomplished enough to remain one of the best players in women's collegiate golf. Last year, she finished tied for 39th in the U.S. Women's Open at Pine Needles to earn top amateur honors. Jamie LovemarkAge: 20Southland connection: Rancho Santa Fe resident Marquee moment: In his debut campaign at USC, Lovemark won the NCAA individual title and was named national player of the year and freshman of the year. Why we picked him: The USC sophomore has made the cut at the Buick Invitational in each of the past two years, and last year he nearly made history when he lost in a playoff to Chris Riley at the Nationwide Tour's Rochester Area Charities Showdown. A graduate of Torrey Pines High School, Lovemark is at the top of the Golfweek/Scratch Players World Amateur rankings. Kristen ParkAge: 15Southland connection: Resident of Buena Park Marquee moment: Park won the 2007 United States Girls Junior Championship. Why we picked her: Park is only a freshman at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, but her accomplishments to this point suggest she's more than ready to compete at the highest levels. In addition to her USGA crown, Park won the 2007 Kathy Whitworth Invitational against one of the nation's most formidable junior fields. There's no telling what she's capable of accomplishing prior to her 18th birthday. Sihwan KimAge: 19Southland connection: Grew up in Buena Park Marquee moment: As a 15-year-old in 2004, Kim became the second-youngest winner of the United States Junior Amateur. Why we picked him: The Stanford freshman bears significant ties to a former Cardinal star - Tiger Woods. Woods was the youngest winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur in 1991, and Kim was only 22 days older when he won in 2004. Also, like Woods, Kim is one of only four players to win at least eight AJGA events. A Sunny Hills High School graduate, Kim was the co-medalist at the CordeValle Collegiate last November. Cameron TringaleAge: 20 Southland connection: Born in Laguna NiguelMarquee moment: As a freshman at Georgia Tech, Tringale won the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship. Why we picked him: Tringale broke through right away for the Yellow Jackets, winning twice during his debut campaign. Now a junior at Georgia Tech, he has been a model of consistency in six career collegiate postseason events, finishing outside the top 10 just once. The former Mission Viejo High star was the runner-up in last year's Pacific Coast Amateur at San Diego Country Club and made it to the semifinals of the same event at San Francisco's Olympic Club in 2006. Tiffany JohAge: 21 Southland connection: San Diego residentMarquee moment: Joh won the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links title in 2006. Why we picked her: A junior at UCLA, Joh is a big reason why the Bruins again are in the discussion for a national title. After recording 11 top-10 finishes in 21 events her first two years, the Rancho Bernardo High graduate has tallied five top 10s in her first six events this season. Lucas LeeAge: 20 Southland connection: Resident of TorranceMarquee moment: Lee fired back-to-back 65s en route to winning the stroke-play portion of the 2007 Western Amateur. Why we picked him: Born in Brazil, Lee moved to the United States and starred at Torrance High School before attending UCLA. The junior won two tournaments during his freshman and sophomore campaigns and led the team with 16 rounds under par in 2006-07. His most recent triumph came last season at the Southern Highlands Invitational in Las Vegas. Lee LopezAge: 17 Southland connection: Resident of WhittierMarquee moment: Lopez won the 2007-08 CIF State individual title last year at Poppy Hills. Why we picked her: The La Serna High School senior will attend Long Beach State in the fall and should be one of the top players on Sue Ewart's squad. Lopez has been recognized as the female player of the year on the Junior Amateur Golf Scholars tour three times, and also has been a recent force in A.J.G.A. events. Jane RahAge: 17 Southland connection: Resident of TorranceMarquee moment: Rah won the 2005 Family Toyota/Family Honda Junior at Coto de Caza for her first AJGA victory. Why we picked her: Coach John Wurzer has turned Torrance High School into a state powerhouse, and Rah, a junior, is one of the squad's driving forces. The CIF state champion in 2005, she has already competed in four LPGA Tour events. Rah won last season's PING Junior and Rolex Girls Junior Championship titles. Rickie FowlerAge: 19 Southland connection: Murrieta nativeMarquee moment: The youngest member of the 2007 U.S. Walker Cup team, Fowler went 3-1 to lead the Americans to a victory against Great Britain and Ireland. Why we picked him: He hasn't completed his freshman campaign at Oklahoma State, but Fowler already has entrenched himself as the No. 1 player in Golfweek's collegiate rankings. He won the Fighting Illini Invitational last fall, which included a 7-under 63 at Olympia Fields Country Club to tie Vijay Singh's course record. SG |
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