Field Catches Up When Hogarth Sneaks a Peek

All it took was one look at the trophy for Tim Hogarth to realize he would have a hard time repeating as Los Angeles City men’s golf champion.

Hogarth, who won last year by six strokes and led by three halfway through this year’s tournament, looked at the trophy before Saturday’s third round at Rancho Park and discovered no one has successfully defended the title since Irving Cooper in 1951.

Hogarth may have a tougher time than he expected trying to match the feat. Ragged putting on the front nine combined with a stretch of three bogeys on the first four holes on the back side led to a five-over-par 76, leading to an unexpectedly crowded leaderboard.

Hogarth, from Van Nuys, is tied with Rick Sessinghaus of Burbank at three-under 212, and nine other players are within three shots of the lead heading into today’s final round at Rancho Park.

“I’ve made it a lot more difficult for myself,” Hogarth said. “I’m lucky to still have a chance.”

Hogarth used the 1996 City title, when he shot 65 in the final round, as a springboard to a memorable season. He went on to win the U.S. Public Links title in Hawaii, earning a berth in the 1997 Masters.

The first two rounds looked like more of the same for Hogarth, the only player to break 70 in both rounds on the Wilson and Harding courses in Griffith Park last week.

But in U.S. Open qualifying earlier this week, Hogarth shot 81 in the first round and withdrew before the second 18 holes.

“I’m sure there was some carry-over,” Hogarth said. “It started off badly early [today].”

Hogarth was five-over after 13 holes before closing with five pars, three of which came within inches of being birdies.

Sessinghaus, playing his first competitive golf in three years, finished with a flourish, getting birdies on 17 and 18 to finish at 70. He was one of only five players to break par.

“I’m happy with anything under par,” said Sessinghaus, who played at Burbank High and Cal State Northridge. “I’m encouraged by the way I’m playing.

Larry Salk of Rancho Park appeared to take advantage of his home course by seizing the lead on the back nine. But he ran into disaster on the final hole, needing five shots to get out of a sand trap near the green.

Salk finished with a 72 and is one shot back at 213. Salk is tied with Michael Turner of Woodland Hills Country Club, who won the City title in 1987 and 1990.

Sessinghaus’ high school teammate, Lance Allred, kept playing his way out of trouble.

Allred, who finished fourth last year, scrambled for several pars on the back nine to finish with a 74 and is two strokes back.

“At least I still have a chance considering the way I had to fight,” Allred said.

Former Taft High standout Scott Golditch was five strokes back at the beginning of the day, but shot 75 and is four behind the leaders.

“I was erratic,” said Golditch, who plays at California. “But if I get some birdies I still have a chance.”

Lew Murez, playing out of Sepulveda Golf Course, finished with a 68--the best round of the day--and is two strokes behind.