BUCKINGHAM — Blaine Ruggio of Hidden Valley Lake, the reigning Coastal Mountain Conference champion and an incoming senior at Middletown High School, captured the 15th annual Buckingham Junior Golf Championship on Tuesday at Buckingham Golf and Country Club.
In a field of 22 golfers, Ruggio fired a 2-over-par 74 with four birdies to win by a 14-stroke margin. An active golfer on the Junior Golf Association of Northern California, Ruggio”s victory marked the first time he has won a Lake County junior golf tournament. Two years ago he was the runner-up in the Lake County Junior at Adams Springs.
Ruggio played steady golf throughout his round, hitting fairways and greens while avoiding big numbers. His card included eight pars, four birdies and six bogeys. He had a six-stroke lead after nine holes and continued to build upon it throughout the back nine.
Corey Huber of Clear Lake Riviera, a soon-to-be junior at Kelseyville High School and an All-Coastal Mountain Conference golfer this past spring for the Knights, recorded an 88 to finish a distant second to Ruggio. Huber did win the 14-15 age bracket. In second place behind Huber in the 14-15 division was Daniel Eagle, a member of the Middletown High School golf team. Eagle posted a 93 and had the shot of the tournament as he drove the 270-yard par-4 12th green, hitting his tee shot to seven feet and draining the putt for an eagle.
Stone Phillips of Lakeport finished third with 97.
In the boys” division for ages 12-13, Brandon Huber of Clear Lake Riviera shot a 58 for nine holes. Christian Villalobos was next with a score of 72. Huber won the closest-to-the-pin contest on the 165-yard par-3 third hole, hitting his driver to six inches. He tapped in for birdie.
In the 9-11 boys” division, Matt Wotherspoon of Buckingham shot a 55 to win his division for the second year in a row. Jacob Lopez of Finley finished second with a 64 while Mike Camacho of Lakeport came in third with a 66.
Liz Berry, a member of the boys” golf team at Kelseyville High, won the overall girls” title for the third year in a row with a 51 for nine holes. Sophie Sells of Kelseyville shot a 66 and won the division title for girls ages 12-13.
Buckingham Golf and Country Club, Twin Pines Casino and the Buckingham Tournament Players Club sponsored the tournament.
The 17th annual Lake County Junior Golf Championship tees it up today at Adams Springs Golf Course on Cobb Mountain. Many of the same golfers who competed at Buckingham are entered, including overall Buckingham champions Ruggio and Berry.
