Yukawa ties for fifth at state golf tournament

Woodcreek junior Chase Yukawa finished his season at the CIF State Golf Championships played at the San Gabriel Country Club on May 29. Yukawa represented his team well, as he tied for fifth overall, shooting a 2-under-par 69. Yukawa had two birdies and 16 pars but said he left several birdies on the course. Yukawa felt he should have won the tournament but enjoyed the experience nonetheless. "San Gabriel Country Club was probably one of the nicer country clubs I've ever played at," Yukawa said. "The most difficult part for me was the narrow fairways off the tee, but I also missed five birdie putts within 15 feet of the hole. If I would have made them I would have won, as the low score was 66. "My irons and my short game, my chipping, were really on and that's how I got my birdie opportunities." Yukawa said his iron play is generally the strongest part of his game. What area of his game does he need to improve on? "Almost every tee shot on the course demanded a draw and I like to hit a fade," Yukawa said. "So I need to work on hitting a draw off the tee." Yukawa said Oregon State, San Marcos and Cal Baptist have shown interest in him. He plans to play in a tournament or two every month during the summer. His goals for next season are to make it back to the state tournament and win it.