Game Fits Surber to a Tee : Dedication of Flintridge Prep Junior Helps Him Become Golfer of the Year

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE — Golf is life.

The saying has appeared on bumper stickers, T-shirts and hats as a form of metaphoric humor.

But for Flintridge Prep junior Russell Surber, it is no joking matter.

Surber, The Times’ golfer of the year in the region, takes the sport pretty seriously.

He plays year-round in dozens of American Junior Golf Assn. events as well as the high school season. His endless hours of daily practice include regular trips to Lawndale to meet with instructor Randy Peterson at Alondra Golf Course. He is always striving to improve.

“He practices like a pro,” Flintridge Prep Coach Bob Loughrie said. “He is centered, focused and comes to play every day.”

Surber had a nine-hole stroke average of 36.4 for the high school season, with a low round of 33. He was the Prep League champion for the second time, won medalist honors in 13 of the Rebels’ 19 matches and shot under par eight times.

He made consecutive birdies to win an 11-player playoff at the Southern Section individual championships and earn the final berth in the CIF-SCGA tournament. There, he finished highest among area players for the second consecutive year by tying for fifth.

“Overall I was happy with my season,” said Surber, who fills his summer with the biggest junior tournaments in the nation. “The most important thing is that I represented my school well and got to play with friends and people I know at school. It’s not as competitive, but it’s a lot of fun.”

The playoff in the Southern Section tournament is a prime example of Surber’s maturity on the course and ability to rise to the occasion.

After shooting 75 and tying for 20th, he made a 25-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole and then chipped in from 20 feet for birdie on the next one.

“I was kind of angry that I didn’t make it [in regulation play],” he said. “I wasn’t nervous at all, I just felt I had a point to prove. My whole attitude was that I never even considered the other option.”

Though he has not yet decided where he will attend college, Surber said he has narrowed his choices to Stanford, Texas, Texas Christian and Arizona State.

“I’m not all that sure yet,” he said. “But those are the ones that spark a little interest.”

Surber said he doesn’t usually set goals for high school golf, but before the Rebels teed off for the first time this year, he said he wanted to shoot under par for the season.

“I didn’t quite manage that,” he said. “I was very, very close at one point then I had a couple of bad matches.”

Oh well, that’s life.

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FIRST TEAM

J.T. Kohut, Westlake, Sophomore.

Close second in player of the year race. Had a stroke average of 72.5, won the Marmonte League championship and placed second at the Southern Section championships with a two-under-par 70.

Jon Ohye, Calabasas, Junior.

Frontier League MVP for the second consecutive year was model of consistency. His stroke average of 74 included a low of 71 and high of 76. Was medalist in 22 regular-season matches for the Coyotes (23-0).

Chuck Ruiz, Alemany, Senior

Lost a playoff to teammate Brian Woolf to finish second in the Mission League, but tied for 16th at the Southern Section tournament and tied for 12th at the CIF-SCGA tournament--second to Russell Surber among area players.

Ryan Wyman, Hart, Sophomore.

Fired six rounds under par, including a one-under-par 71 at the Southern Section team championships (where he was medalist) and five-under 56 at Vista Valencia to tie the school record. Averaged 74.94.

SECOND TEAM

Mike Briano, Sylmar, Junior

Led Spartans to undefeated 4-A League season and shot 74 at CIF-SCGA tournament, tops among area City Section players.

Todd Golditch, Chatsworth, Senior

Runner-up in the City Section led Chancellors to their first City Section title.

Jason Park, Westlake, Junior

Was second to Kohut on Warriors and in Marmonte League with stroke average of 75.

Charlie Smith, Hart, Junior

DeBell tournament champion had a 75.39 stroke average.

Brian Woolf, Alemany, Senior

Won competitive Mission League tournament and lost to Surber in playoff at Southern Section tournament.