Greenbrae youth golfer taking first crack at Marin County Amateur
By Derek Arild, The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Shooting low scores while playing from the black tees at
Woo, at age 14, will be the youngest in the field at the Marin County Amateur -- which has two flights: championship (7.4 index or lower) and senior (age 50 and over and 9.4 index or lower) during the 36-hole tournament beginning Saturday.
He will be competing with some of the top local talent including defending champ
Playing with mostly adults and some high school and college-age kids doesn't intimidate Woo, nor the fact that the course is around 800 yards longer from the back black tees as opposed to the white tees he's accustomed to.
"I am definitely the youngest ... maybe there will be a few 17-year olds playing," Woo said. "I think (playing with adults) used to be intimidating for me when I didn't hit the ball as long. Now that I can hit the ball as long as adults (he averages 250-260 yards on his drives), it doesn't really bother me."
Woo has shown he can tame the often treacherousHe shot a 7-under-par 65 there from the white tees a few weeks ago during a weekly skins game the club holds. He also shot 71 on the same course to claim the junior amateur title last summer.
"I couldn't miss a putt," Woo said about his round of 65. "Everything fell into place that day. Most of the putts (I made) were from 20 feet. The farthest was a 35-footer."
Woo had a chance to equal the course record of 63 -- shared by
"I think it boosted my confidence a lot," said Woo, who is hoping to break 80 in both rounds.
"If he plays his best, he can shoot under par from the black tees," Joe said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he shot 68 or 69 ... somewhere in that range. He has to be putting really well and striking the ball well ... basically, driving the ball well. It's a lot tougher to recover from a bad drive from a longer distance than a shorter one."
Redwood boys golf coach
"With our (top three) seniors gone, he's going to be an important part of our team," said Kline, who has been with Redwood for three of its four consecutive league tournament titles.
"He's got real potential," said Lyle, who has been a member at
Woo got off to an early start to his golf career.
He was 2 when he picked up his first club and impressed dad at the driving range when they lived in
The next year, when they moved back to
"He was getting in my way while I was trying to taking a fence down," said Joe, a 42-year-old
"He started playing and I've been coaching him ever since."
After the Marin County Amateur, Woo will keep busy until school starts in the fall. He's playing in the Veritas World Junior Championships starting Tuesday in southern
He is also trying to earn a trip to
For now his focus is on
"He's got all the talent in the world, a great temperament on the course, raw natural talent and good instincts," said
Marin County Amateur
What: Seventh annual golf tournament with two flights -- championship (7.4 index or lower) and senior (ages 50 and over with 9.4 index or lower)
When: Saturday-Sunday, seniors begin teeing off at
Where:
Course length: Championship (6,800 yards), seniors (6,500)
Last year:
On the web: marincountyamateur.com
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