PORTLAND, ORE. (August 13, 2017) – The team from Southern California pulled away on Sunday to win the 49^th Eddie Hogan Cup Team Matches, held Saturday and Sunday, August 12-13 at Riverside Golf & Country Club in Portland, Ore.

Ashwin Arasu (San Diego, Calif.), representing Southern California this weekend, won the individual title after finishing as the only player to finish under-par for the tournament.

Entering play on Sunday, Southern California was in second place, two shots behind first-round leader Arizona. However, the tides turned as players entered the back nine, with Southern California holding a lead throughout the final nine holes. The squad finished with scores of 218-213 – 431 (-1), the only team to finish under par for the event.

Arizona earned second place, led by the duo of Tony Hendricks (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Hayden Sayre (Phoenix, Ariz.), who both tied for fourth individually at 3-over par. As a team, Arizona shot scores of 216-226 – 442 (+10).

In third place, Northern California came back after struggling on Saturday with a strong Sunday of play. Bryce Kvick (Carmichael, Calif.) led the team, finishing in second place at 1-over par for the tournament. Northern California shot 230-218 – 448 (+16) to earn third place.

The host association teams both fired better scores on Sunday than they did on Saturday. Oregon #1 earned fifth place after a 23-shot improvement from the first round to the second, while Oregon #2 finished in ninth place after firing three shots better on Sunday.

In the individual competition, Arasu pulled away from the field in just the final four holes. With over five players in the hunt for medalist honors, Arasu was tied for the lead at 1-over par overall after 13 holes. Beginning on No. 15, Arasu reeled off three straight birdies, and had a chance at four straight if not for a missed five-foot birdie attempt on the 18^th hole. The 18-year old, who will begin at Stanford University in the fall, shot scores of 73-69 – 142 (-2) to win the individual title.

In second place was Northern California’s Bryce Kvick, who finished with scores of 73-72 – 145 (+1). Edwin Kuang (Murrieta, Calif.), Arasu’s Southern California teammate, earned third place with scores of 73-73 – 146 (+2).

ABOUT THE EDDIE HOGAN CUP

The Hogan Cup 36-hole team matches pit the best junior golfers from the Western United States and Canada against each other in a team format with the three lowest scores each day determining the team total. Awards are presented to the top three teams as well as the top three individuals in the field.  Team Roster of participating organizations will be available near the beginning of August.

The event began in 1969 in commemoration of the vast achievements and contributions to the sport by Eddie Hogan, their long-time head golf professional who served the club from 1939 until his tragic drowning death in 1968.  At its inception, the competition was between the Portland Metro All-stars and junior golfers representing the rest of the region.

Hogan, an Oregon Amateur champion and PNGA Amateur Champion, was credited for transforming the role of the golf professional, developing what is now considered the standard for the green grass pro shop. Hogan was also dedicated in helping the Oregon Golf Association develop its widely-recognized junior golf program.

Being selected to compete in Hogan Cup matches is an honor that has been bestowed to few individuals, and the excellence of past participants is indicative of the quality of the small, select field.

Hogan Cup alumni include tour players such as Bobby Clampett, Fred Couples, Joe Rassett, Jack Renner, Lennie Clements, Scott Simpson, Rick Fehr, Robert Gamez, Bill Sanders, Kirk Triplett, Jim Nelford, John Fought, Peter Jacobsen, Jeff Quinney, Casey Martin, Jason Gore, Tiger Woods, Ricky Barnes, and Bryson DeChambeau.

Article Source: OGA – Oregon Golf Association