Mamo moves on

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Granite Hills junior golfer Robbie Mamo shot a 2-over-par 73 at the CIF-Southern Section Individual Finals on Monday to advance to next week’s CIF/SCGA Tournament.

His senior teammate, B.J. Doucett, shot a 75 and qualified as the second alternate.

“There were a lot of serious golfers out there,” Mamo said. “I was playing with a guy who shot a 68.”

The day started out very hot at Mission Lakes Country Club, and then 20- to 25-mile-per-hour winds started blowing during the middle of the round.

Mamo suffered from inconsistency in his drives and approach shots but his putts helped him make it through.

“The putting just helped me,” Mamo said. “Nothing else worked for me today.”

He double-bogeyed the second hole but bounced back two holes later to get a birdie, which he said gave him confidence and “a sign of hope.”

Though his drives weren’t always stellar, Mamo almost got a hole in one on No. 8, a 219-yard par 3, as he placed the ball a foot away from the pin and putted for birdie.

He said he plans to work on his approach shots to prepare for the SCGA tourney.

By contrast, Putting was Doucett’s downfall on the final hole as he missed a 3-footer and bogeyed it. He was forced to compete in an 11-way playoff and ended up as the second alternate.

He is still recovering from a case of strep throat, which he fought through last week to get to the Individual Finals, though he didn’t use it as an excuse.

“It didn’t work out too well for me today,” said Doucett, who will only be able to compete next week if two other golfers drop out. “I didn’t play my best golf. I missed a lot of easy opportunities.”

The SCGA meet will take place May 29 at the SCGA Members’ Course in Murrieta, featuring 124 golfers from all over Southern California. The qualifiers from there will head to the CIF State Championship.

“I just know I have to practice and do better the next time,” Mamo said.