Dan Erickson of Whittier became the youngest winner of the Southern California Match Play Championship when he outlasted Justin De Los Santos of Chatsworth with a par on the 20th hole in the final at Valencia Country Club in Santa Clarita.
The 16-year-old Erickson, a junior Halstrom Academy in Anaheim Hills, also needed 20 holes to turn back James Holley of Chatsworth earlier in the day in the semifinals.
“It was mentally challenging,” Erickson said of the 40-hole day. “I was down in both matches early and had to battle back. I caught a couple good breaks, and ended up capitalizing on them.
“I’m playing really solidly right now, I’m on a good run. Hopefully I can keep it going.”
De Los Santos, who captured the Big West Conference individual championship for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo during the spring, took a 2-up lead through seven holes in the final before Erickson rallied.
The kid pulled even with birdies on the 12th and 13th, and after De Los Santos regained the lead with a birdie on the 15th hole, Erickson forced the playoff with a par on the 18th hole and took the title with another two holes later.
De Los Santos earned his spot in the final by beating Corby Segal of Santa Clarita, 2 and 1, in the semis.
Erickson earned an exemption into next year’s SCGA Amateur Championship in July at Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside.
