Stockdale's Fernandez, Centennial's Shah finish in 4-way tie at 68, fall short in playoff
| Thursday, Jun 04 2009 11:18 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Jun 04 2009 11:18 PM
MURRIETA -- Stockdale High junior Pete Fernandez was naturally a bit peeved, but he wasn't disappointed. Centennial junior Manav Shah took the outcome a little harder.
Fernandez and Shah both fired impressive 4-under-par-68s on Thursday at the CIF Southern California Boys Golf Regional tournament. However, their scores were only good enough for spots in a four-way playoff to determine the final two state berths.
The playoff lasted just two holes, and Fernandez and Shah found themselves on the outside looking in, as Orange-Villa Park's Alex Bungert and Riverside-Poly's Bryan Bergna bettered both Bakersfield standouts at The SCGA Golf Course.
Thursday's play was a continuation of Wednesday, when the tournament was suspended after five holes because of heavy rains, hail and lightning.
Shah was eliminated first after shooting a bogey on the par-5 10th hole (545 yards). Fernandez was ousted after missing a 4-foot putt on the par-4 ninth (411) that would have matched Bergna's birdie and kept the playoff alive.
"I played great on those two holes," Fernandez said. "You can't really beat ... I mean, you can beat it. But Bryan's a great player. It's just whoever hits the better shots, whoever makes the putts."
Shah left the course without watching the rest of the playoff.
Earlier, he had missed birdie opportunites on three of his final five holes, including a couple of putts that hung on the hole's lip but wouldn't drop.
"It was bad news today," Shah said. "I came up one putt short. The ball didn't bounce my way.
"... It feels good to shoot 68, but I really wanted to make state."
It's hard to blame the reigning Central Section champion. He barely missed out on a playoff last year by just one stroke and then came up short this year despite hitting all 18 greens and firing a bogey-free round before the playoff.
"I don't know how he could have played much better," Centennial coach Andy Muro said.
Fernandez was impressed with Shah, too.
"Manav's an awesome player, and I think he played awesome, too," Fernandez said. "We both did. It's just the other two played better."
Considering he improved on last year's 70 that earned him a playoff - which he survived to qualify for state -- Fernandez wasn't concerned with the result as much as how he played.
"I really can't say anything about that. Sixty-eight is a great round..." Fernandez said. "I feel really good about the way that I played."
Fernandez, who finished second at state last year, wouldn't dwell over the missed opportunities during his round.
"Everybody can say, 'Oh, I had these shots,' " Fernandez said. "Yeah, I had a double (bogey), and I missed a 2-footer. But, oh well, that's how golf is."
Bakersfield's other finishers were Garces' Stephen Harmer (70) and Riley Scott (77), Stockdale's Bryce Keene (78), Garces' Gunner Kirschenmann (81), and Liberty's Richard Gilkey (83).
