Deep field to vie for Cal State Open title

By: TOM SHERIDAN - Staff Writer | Thursday, September 27, 2007 12:41 AM PDT ∞

TEMECULA -- For as long as the California State Open Golf Championship has been held -- and that's going back a way, try before manned flight -- there has been star quality at the top of the field.

Past champions include Willie Smith, who was the reigning U.S. Open champion when he captured the first Cal State Open back in 1900, as well as Walter Hagen, Sam Snead, Gene Littler and Roger Maltbie. Among the past champions who are still active on the PGA Tour are John Cook, Corey Pavin, Kirk Triplett and Jason Gore.

The 168-man field that will tee it up at Redhawk Golf Course beginning today for the latest edition of the 54-hole tournament is a little different from those in recent years.

"The field is really strong," tournament director Brad Stormon said. "A couple guys came up to me, who are on other tours and are pretty solid players, and one said to me this is the first year he thinks there are 25 guys that can win this tournament. Usually in the past, you've had maybe 10 guys who were really strong players. And I agree, there are 25 guys who can win this tournament."

Sometimes that star quality can be difficult to identify. The defending champion is proof of that. Ji Hwan Park, a teenage amateur from South Korea who had spent less than a year living in California, claimed the title last year after beginning the week as a virtual unknown.

But as Stormon, who brought the Cal State Open to Temecula in 2005 after licensing the tournament from the Southern California PGA, went down this year's entry list, he had no trouble ticking off the names of potential champions.

There is Californian Spencer Levin (pronounced luh-VEEN) who played in both the U.S. Open and British Open this year, and Englishman Ewan Porter (first name YOU-in), who also qualified for the British Open. Murrieta's Eric Meichtry, the 2005 champion, is well rested coming off a second-place finish in a Golden State Tour event at PGA West in La Quinta. Ed McGlasson, a former University of Colorado player from Orange County, tied for second last year and has the game to go one better.

There is a strong contingent of older players, too, including U.S. Senior Open qualifiers Jon Fiedler and Chris Starkjohann. Fiedler, a Southern California club pro, was tied for third after he shot a 69 in the first round of this year's Senior Open at demanding Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis.

Stormon himself is coming off of an encouraging performance at the Southern California PGA Professional Championship in Palm Desert last week where he had a hole-in-one and tied for 12th.

A few others in the field offer compelling storylines. John Cook's son, Jason, is in the field and his dad is expected to be on his bag. And former French Open tennis champion Michael Chang will play, as will his brother Carl.

"For me, to be able to come out and hit balls is relaxing," Michael Chang said. "By all means, this is not something I'm trying to make a profession out of. I'll be honest with you, I'm not trying to be like (former major league pitcher) Rick Rhoden and make it on the Champions Tour or anything like that. I'm just really enjoying the game."

-- Staff writer Tom Sheridan can be reached at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2649 or tsheridan@californian.com.