AmateurGolf.com San Diego Amateur Preview
16 Dec 2016
by Jeremy Gomberg of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Christopher Tuulik Rankings
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The 18th hole at Aviara is one of the most dramatic finishing holes in Southern California
CARLSBAD, Calif. (December 16, 2016) -- In its 12th year running, the 36-hole AmateurGolf.com San Diego County Amateur is set to kick off December 18-19 at Aviara Golf Club, host of the LPGA Kia Classic.
Defending champion Christopher Tuulik (CSU San Marcos) will be in the field to try and make it two-straight. So far the best finish of Tuulik's junior year has been a tie for sixth at the CSUSM Fall Classic.
Tuulik's competition will include college players such as Pepperdine teammates Clay Feagler and Robin Kang, and Stanford's Chris Myers.
2014 champion Sean Crocker (who fired what we thought might be a competitive course record of 67 from the Palmer tees in his final round that year) was set to play, but a conflict with the Walker Cup practice session for Team USA got in the way. We wish him luck with that session and the opportunity to play for his country. We've watched with pride as AmateurGolf.com members and Tour competitors have done the same.
Notable junior golfers include Ricky Castillo, a class of 2019 high school golfer and University of Florida commit who represented the West at this summer's AJGA Wyndham Cup. He's joined by Dakota McNealy, a class of 2017 Stanford recruit who is known as much for his golf game as he is for being the brother of the world's top amateur, Maverick McNealy.
Highlighting the women's division is University of Arizona's Haley Moore. A standout during her junior career, Moore made the cut at the 2015 ANA Inspiration as a high school senior. In her first year at the University of Arizona, Moore made waves with a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championship this past spring. Her competition includes University of Oregon's Amy Matsuoka and CSU Northridge's Brianna Steger.
ABOUT AVIARA GOLF CLUB
Named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America, and the No. 1 golf resort in Southern California according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, the Aviara Golf Club overlooks the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon ecological reserve. The only San Diego golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, Aviara features a memorable coastal layout: par 72, 18 holes over 7,007 yards uniquely sculpted around rolling hillsides, native wildflowers, and plenty of bunker and water challenges.