Jul 19, 2008

Local briefs: Sako tops NorCal tournament

Menlo Park golfer wins in dramatic playoff against three others

FROM DAILY NEWS DISPATCHES

Menlo Park golfer Nick Sako beat three others, including Burlingam's Dash Lindsell, in a three-hole playoff Friday to win the boys overall title at the second annual Northern California Junior Players' Championship at Rancho Canada in Carmel Valley. Matt Williams of San Jose and Ben Geyer of Arbuckle were the others in the playoff.

Sako scored a 70 (37 points) in Thursday's first round on the par-71 course, then shot 69 (38 points) Friday. Players competed in a modified Stableford scoring format, which allows five points for eagle, three for birdie, two for par, one for bogey and no points for double bogey or more.

It was Sako's first big win of the year, and he said he felt confident coming into the tournament. "I didn't have my A-game but still managed to hit enough fairways and greens," he told www.ncga.org

Sako also played well recently at the U.S. Junior Qualifying at Stanford, firing 141 to make the first-alternate spot.

In San Diego, Menlo Park's Patric Grimes made the 54-hole cut at the Junior World. He is tied for 16th going into the final round today at Torrey Pines.



San Mateo tops Los Altos

The San Mateo Orioles, a 19-and-under American Legion baseball team, swept a doubleheader from Los Altos 12-2 and 8-1 on Sunday at Aragon High in San Mateo.

Andrew Leary got the win in Game 1, allowing two runs and four hits while striking out five in a nine-inning complete game. Timothy Quiery had three hits and three RBIs for San Mateo, including a double and a triple. Dominic Ferrando had two hits and three RBIs. Scotty Kalush and Brett Montague each had two hits and two RBIs. Montague homered. Kalush doubled.

Byron Macomber had two hits in Game 1 for Los Altos, which got a double from Lane Cowen.

Bobby Hurst tossed a one-hitter for the Orioles in Game 2. He was perfect through six innings. He struck out six and did not walk anyone or give up any earned runs. Hurst, a Carlmont High student, fielded a grounder to the mount and threw to first for the final out of a memorable pitching performance. He has been San Mateo's most consistent performer most of the summer. He has thrown a high percentage of strikes. The efficient pitch totals have allowed him to pitch deep into games that he has started.

Quiery had two hits for San Mateo, which got a home run and three RBIs from Kevin McEntee. Cody Larson doubled and had two RBIs. Montague tripled.

San Mateo improved to 22-6-1, 18-4-1 in the league.



Attend races for charity

Humanimal Connection, a Redwood City nonprofit cat rescue organization, will sponsor A Day At The Races event for $45 in the Turf Club at Bay Meadows Race Track in San Mateo on Aug. 10 to honor the soon-to-be-demolished track where Humanimal Connection got its start 10 years ago.

First race is set for 1:45 p.m. Included is entry to Turf Club, an elegant buffet lunch, a racing program, parking and a chance to be photographed in the winner's circle.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.humanimalconnection.com or by mailing a check to 734 Hillcrest Dr., Redwood City, 94062. Please include your e-mail address on the check. Call 650 948-1003 for information.



Perry, Cepeda to sign

Baseball Hall of Famers Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda will sign autographs today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sports Gallery of Palo Alto at 318 University Ave. They will sign photos, jerseys, baseballs and other select items for 200 fans. A limited number of tickets are available at the store or through www.sportsgalleryweb.com or by calling 650-324-3355.



Oaks golf tournament

The fifth annual Tony Makjavich Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 6 at Sunol Valley Golf Club in Sunol. The cost of $150 includes greens fees, a cart, prizes, lunch and dinner.

The tournament will start at 2 p.m. after lunch at 1 p.m. This event is a fundraiser for the Palo Alto Oaks semipro baseball team. It honors the late Oaks manager for all of his hard work and dedication to the local baseball landscape and raises necessary funds to keep his legacy, the Oaks team, alive. All proceeds go toward funding the team.
Sponsors are needed. By sponsoring a hole, a sign will be placed on a hole with your name or company information and there will be a program where your name or company info will be visible. The cost to sponsor a hole is $150.

For more info, contact Steve Espinoza by e-mail (paoaks@hotmail.com) or phone (650 302-3279) or download entry forms from www.paoaks.com.