Westlake High’s Chang Rebounds to Win Junior Golf Championship

It’s been an up and down couple of weeks for Jimmy Chang of Westlake High.

At the California state high school championships June 21 at Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach, Chang was playing so poorly that after hitting a shot out of bounds on the back nine, he picked up his bag and withdrew from the tournament. He finished last in the eight-man field.

Wednesday, however, back in more familiar territory, Chang won the 54-hole Southern California Junior Golf Championships at Industry Hills.

Chang, who will be a senior next year, finished at 6 over par (69-72-80--221). The 3-under 69 on Monday was the low round of the tournament.

“I’ve really been practicing since Poppy Hills,” said Chang, 17. “I’ve been hitting a lot of golf balls.”

Chang led a trio of Westlake golfers in the top five. Teammate Chris Zambri, who also returns next year, finished third at 10 over (76-74-75--225).

Charlie Wi, a sophomore at Westlake, tied for fifth with rounds of 79-73-78 for a 230 total.

The first two rounds of the tournament were played at the par-72 California Country Club in the City of Industry. The final round was played at the par-71 Zaharias course at Industry Hills.

Westlake won its second consecutive Southern Section title this season and later added the CIF/Southern California Golf Assn. Championship, its first ever.