Buena freshman wins CIF-SS Northern Regional boys golf title with remarkable round

Buena High freshman Adam Anderson hits a tee shot at Los Robles Greens Golf Course in Thousand Oaks during the CIF-SS Northern Regional Individuals tournament Monday. Anderson finished first after shooting an 8-under 62.
Buena High freshman Adam Anderson hits a tee shot at Los Robles Greens Golf Course in Thousand Oaks during the CIF-SS Northern Regional Individuals tournament Monday. Anderson finished first after shooting an 8-under 62.

You play as you practice.

That time-honored axiom certainly held up for Adam Anderson on Monday.

The Buena High freshman golfer scorched the course at Los Robles Greens Golf Course in Thousand Oaks with a stunning round of 8-under-par 62 to win the CIF-Southern Section Northern Regional Individuals championship.

Anderson finished four shots ahead of second-place finishers Yousesong Choi of Anaheim Discovery and Taylor Cotti of Valencia.

Afterward, he said he wasn't much surprised.

"Not really," he said. "I worked really hard in practice to get ready. I knew what I can do."

Anderson racked up nine birdies to easily overcome one bogey and continue his recent hot streak. He finished at 7 under to win the Pacific View League individual championship at River Ridge Golf Course in Oxnard a week ago.

Anderson, who was one of six local golfers to advance to the CIF-SS Individual Championship to be played on River Ridge's Vineyard Course on May 19, wasn't bothered by stress in the Northern Individuals.

"I was hyped on the inside and calm on the outside," he said. "I try to go out and enjoy myself. I want to have fun."

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He's also familiar with Los Robles, having playing there "six or seven times." His home course is the Saticoy Country Club. Anderson is the brother of Buena graduate Adeline Anderson, who was The Star's Girls Golfer of the Year for 2019 and now plays for Brigham Young University.

Anderson said he always tries to emulate his hero Tiger Woods. "I try to play like Tiger," he said.

Afterward, Anderson celebrated like many a high school athlete. He went to In-N-Out Burger with his parents for a burger and shake.

Buena High freshman Adam Anderson poses for a picture in front of the scoresheets after winning the CIF-SS Northern Regional Individuals tournament Monday at Los Robles Greens Golf Course in Thousand Oaks. Anderson shot an 8-under 62.
Buena High freshman Adam Anderson poses for a picture in front of the scoresheets after winning the CIF-SS Northern Regional Individuals tournament Monday at Los Robles Greens Golf Course in Thousand Oaks. Anderson shot an 8-under 62.

Anderson wasn't the only Buena freshman to advance to the CIF-SS Individuals. Brady McHenry shot a 1-under 69 to finish in a six-way tie for 10th. The top 20 golfers in the 118-player field advanced to the CIF-SS finals.

Thousand Oaks junior Gavin McCormick, who won the Marmonte League individual title, fired a 3-under 67 to tie for fourth place. Simi Valley junior Eli Bernardo shot a 2-under 68 to finish tied for seventh place. St. Bonaventure senior AJ Ryland and Simi Valley junior Sahir Baylan each finished with a 69 to tie for 10th place.

The six local golfers will have to finish in the top 28 at the CIF-SS Individuals to advance to Regional State Qualifier on May 26 at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena. The state tournament will be held at San Gabriel Country Club on June 1.

Several local golfers had solid rounds Monday but came up short of qualifying.

Curtis Anaya of Simi Valley, Christian Shackelford of Newbury Park and Kemper Wilson of Moorpark each shot a 73 to finish tied for 25th. Gylles Alford of Oak Park tied for 32nd with a 74. Harrison Gahr of Calabasas had a 75 to tie for 37th. Elijah Delsi of Camarillo and Nick Waldock of Oaks Christian each shot a 76 to tie for 43rd. Evan Jiang of Thousand Oaks had a 77 to tie for 49th. Kyle Sweeting of Royal shot a 78 to tie for 59th and Anthony Nilson of Simi Valley had a 71 to tie for 71st.

Connor Shackelford of Newbury Park shot an 80; Logan Erickson of Ventura, Matt Fisher of Thousand Oaks and Dylan Gruber of Rio Mesa each finished with an 81; Kevin McDonald of Nordhoff, Eoin O'Neil of St. Bonaventure and Charlie Schurmer of Nordhoff each had an 82; Dylan Blacker of Nordhoff and Jared Lantiegne of Foothill Tech each shot an 83; Thomas Chadbourne of Foothill Tech had a 94; and Reily Brown of Nordhoff shot a 95.

Loren Ledin is the Prep Editor for The Star. He can be reached at loren.ledin@vcstar.com or 805-437-0285.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Buena freshman wins CIF-SS Northern Regional title with remarkable round