STOCKTON — Tyler Griggs was nearly masterful at the Reserve at Spanos Park on Friday.
That's where the CIF Sac-Joaquin Sections' Masters Tournament was held.
The East Union High sophomore and UCLA commit — given the wind gusts that at times well exceeded 20 mph — posted one of the top scores among the area's golfers.
His even-par 72 was matched by Trey Davis of River Valley among the individual qualifiers and topped only by Griffin Long (71), who led first-place team Davis (392). The Blue Devils won a third straight Masters team title.
Ripon Christian's Danton Indelicato was the only other area golfer to reach the Masters event. The Southern Athletic League MVP and SJS Division VI medalist finished with a 94.
The top three teams and four individuals not on qualifying teams advance to the CIF Northern California Regional Championships at the nearby Woodbridge Golf & Country Club. Division III champion Vista del Lago finished as the runner-up with a 401 score, while Granite Bay took third with a 404, knocking off Jesuit in a team playoff for its berth to NorCals.
Joining Griggs and Davis as individual qualifiers are Lodi’s Justin Gums (73) and Del Campo’s Bryce Kvick (74).
Like the Reserve, where he once carded a 67 at the 18-hole north Stockton golf course, Griggs is familiar with the Lodi-area Woodbridge course.
"There are some tight fairways and the greens are firm," he recalled.
One of the top golfers in the junior circuit, Griggs, who failed last year to advance in the Masters, considered the section event to be tougher task at hand.
"I think this is bigger," he said of the Masters.
Even though he shot birdie at No. 6 to begin the round, Griggs noted that he really didn't get his game going until No. 12. His ball found a fairway bunker off the tee but followed with a high approach shot against the wind and stuck the green about 10 feet below the hole. Griggs sank the birdie putt to move to even par through seven holes.
"After that, I settled down," he said of his nicely placed birdie on that par-4 green.
The next four holes were a breeze for Griggs, who battled some tough windy conditions that made it tough to use his irons and, at times, even the putter.
In addition, he gave kudos to the excellent conditions of the greens at the Reserve, which will play host to next week's NCAA Division I West Regional golf tournament.
