Jeff Tully
DE BELL GOLF COURSE -- With its inception in 1961, the Burbank High
School Invitational Golf Tournament was meant to be an event to give the
Burbank and Burroughs boys' golf teams a chance to compete against
high-quality programs.
And over the years, the tournament has become one of the oldest high
school golf events in Southern California.
At the 40th annual event -- a year was skipped in the 1960s --
Wednesday at De Bell Municipal Golf Course, the Indians and Bulldogs
played well in the tournament that attracted 15 schools and 23 teams.
"We usually have have well over 100 kids and sometimes as many as 25
schools taking part," tourney chairman Jim Lloyd said. "But because of
the scheduling of [spring break] this year, we have about 90 players."
Sponsored by the Burbank Men's Golf Club, Lloyd has been involved in
the event since 1981. He said the invitational has a long, rich history.
"It was first started by Tom Condit because he had two sons attending
Burroughs and he wanted to have a tournament that both Burroughs and
Burbank could compete in.
"And over the years it has grown and we usually have a pretty good
showing of players."
De Bell Professional Golfers Assn. professional Scott Scozzola grew up
with the tournament. Scott's father, Phil, was the longtime pro at the
course and the young golfer spent some of his spring breaks taking in the
event.
When he was old enough, Scott Scozzola even competed in the tourney
with Notre Dame High. However, for his first three years with the
Knights, Scozzola couldn't win on his "home course."
"But I did win it finally in 1994 as a senior," Scozzola said. "It was
one of those frustrating things that I wasn't able to win the tournament
at a place I knew so well.
"But it was nice to win it. I was happy to win it not only for my
father, but for all of the Men's Club guys who are always there."
For the local players Wednesday, they said they appreciate getting the
opportunity to play in a tournament in their own backyard.
"It's kind of a nice way to spend your vacation, on the golf course,"
Burroughs sophomore David Hamanaka said. "But I'm not happy with the way
I'm playing today."
For Burbank junior Chris Roseli, the event is good for another reason.
"It gives you a place to go and keeps you away from doing bad stuff,"
he said.
The locals were led by Burroughs' Robert Enriquez, who won the B
Flight with a eight-over-par 79. Enriquez used a fine putting game to
shoot a 38 on the front nine and a 41 on the back nine.
