ECR sophomore City champ Osswald brings casual approach to his game
PASADENA >> Turner Osswald walked off the fifthhole green at Brookside Golf Club's Koiner course grinning as he casually strolled to the sixth tee box with his golf bag strapped to his back. He had just parred the hole.
“A fly flew into my nose on my birdie putt,” Osswald said to El Camino Real golf coach Eric Choi, who responded with a snicker and head shake.
“He plays in running shoes,” Choi said.
Osswald went on to shoot a 7-over 79 in the CIF State SoCal Regional tournament Thursday. It didn't qualify him for the CIF State final Wednesday at San Gabriel Country Club, but the sophomore won the City Section championship last week with a 4-under 68 at Griffith Park's Harding Golf Course.
Osswald's swagger is unique when comparing him to most high school golfers, especially the ones competing at this point in the season. Each golfer's hat is fitted perfectly. The collared shirts are tucked in. The pants (or shorts) look like they're fresh out of the dry cleaners. Even the towels draped on their golf bags are bleach white.
Osswald, not so much. No hat. Shirt half-tucked. Disheveled hair. But a killer game.
“He's not worried about
El Camino Real sophomore Turner Osswald won the City Section championship last week.
how good he could be,” Choi said. “He's not worried about his ranking. He's not even worried about his footwear.”
It's not that Turner has an attitude toward the etiquette of golf, like the PGA's John Daly. It's not like he's trying to stand out, either, like a Bubba Watson or Rickie Fowler, PGA golfers that are known for their loud outfits or brandish wardrobe.
“He's a blue collar, low maintenance guy,” Choi said. “He just plays. He doesn't worry about his equipment, what the other guy is doing, or even what he's wearing. He is pretty green to the glamour of youth tournament golf.”
Osswald's approach is casual, but he's equipped with a lot of talent. He doesn't hit the ball super long off the tee, the rising sophomore drives the ball around 260 yards, but is precise with his technique. He's a very good putter.
Osswald was 1-under in the West Valley League finals and had a 9-hole stretch (7-15) where he birdied seven holes to win the City crown. He's capable of catching fire and scoring low.
“He just has to keep getting better and focus on getting the ball in the hole in less shots than everyone else,” Choi added.
Osswald will be one to watch for the next two years.
Area golfers roundup
Thousand Oaks' Gavin McCormick was the only local golfer to qualify to this week's CIF State final after finishing tied for third place with a 3-under 69. McCormick had four birdies and one bogey in Thursday's round.
Valencia sophomore Taylor Cotti, whose father, Dan Cotti, was an offensive lineman at UCLA, shot a 3-over 75. Cotti was a multi-sport athlete his freshman year before deciding to dedicate all of his efforts toward golf. Cotti was named the Foothill League MVP this year.
UCLA commit Lincoln Melcher of Burroughs/ Burbank, the Pacific League MVP, withdrew after 10 holes.
Out-of-area golfer Daniel Heo of Cypress won the SoCal Regional with a 5-under 67. Edison won the team title with a combined score of 1-under (359).