Jae Kim (AGC photo)
MORGAN HILL, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2019) – Jae Kim’s day didn’t start out as a particularly spectacular one, but by the time the 18-year-old reached his third hole at Coyote Creek Golf Course, it had begun to look a lot brighter.
Kim, a junior at UC Davis, logged five birdies in his opening nine holes (he started his round on No. 10) on the way to an opening 4-under 68 in the AmateurGolf.com Silicon Valley Amateur. After the turn he had two more birdies on the front nine even as the wind picked up. With seven birdies for the day, Kim tied his single-round birdie record.
“Inside 150 yards, I hit pretty good shots,” he said in explanation of the low scoring. He put most of his approach shots within 10 feet, and even left himself with a tap-in or two.
Interestingly, Kim went into the event without a practice round at Coyote Creek.
Kim’s 68 came alongside his closest pursuer. UC Davis teammate Daniel Kim, a freshman, had three birdies and a bogey for a 69 that left him in second.
Four players logged opening rounds of 2-under 70 to land in a tie for third, including St. Mary’s sophomore Ethan Farnam. A consistent day for the Illinois native included four birdies and two bogeys.
Redmond Lyons, who finished fourth at last week’s AmateurGolf.com San Diego Amateur, had 15 pars to go with an eagle, a birdie and a bogey. He still ended up with 70.
San Diego State’s Christian Banke along with Jackson Lake, an Oregon State signee, rounded out that foursome at 2 under.
Two more players are tied for seventh at 1 under. Mikey Slesinski and Blake Hathcoat are teammates at St. Mary’s. Overall, there are 10 St. Mary’s players in the field.
In the senior division, Rick James is on top by three shots. It was an up-and-down day for the San Jose native. He interspersed four birdies with four bogeys.
Daniel O’Connor had a 3-over 75 while Jeff Britton, senior winner at last week’s San Diego Amateur, and Bruce MacLean are tied for third at 4 over.
In the women’s division, Santa Clara University sophomore Emily Sumner took steps toward a title defense with an opening 6-over 78 that left her with a two-shot lead.
ABOUT THE
AGC Silicon Valley Amateur
The Silicon Valley Amateur is now a 54-hole, limited-field WAGR points event! The field will consist of 64 scratch players and 18 invited scratch seniors. After 36 holes are contested (one round on Monday, one on Tuesday), the field will be cut to the low 30 scratch amateurs and ties, and the low nine scratch seniors and ties. These players will be eligible for the final round on Wednesday. We expect to gain exemptions for winners into several top tournaments - details forthcoming. Past champions of this tournament include PGA Tour stars Collin Morikawa and Max Homa.
DIVISIONS
CHAMPIONSHIP
For players aged 16 and over with a USGA or
equivalent index of 1.9 or less.
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
For players age 50 and over (as of the tournament
date) with a handicap index of 3.9 or less. Note:
Must be 55 and over for NCGA Senior Points.
MID-AM (subdivision of Championship)
For players age
25-
49. Compete alongside the younger players in the
Championship Division, (same tees, same prize
opportunities) and if there are at least six Mid-Ams,
a
separate prize and trophy will be awarded.
WOMEN (subdivision of Championship)
Will play in the
Championship
Division but
from a shorter tee. If there are at least six women in
the field, a separate prize and trophy will be
awarded.
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