June 28, 2004
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Spencer Levin of the New Mexico men’s golf team closed out two amazing weeks of golf with the 93rd California Golf Association State Amateur Championship on Saturday, June 26. Levin, a week earlier was low amateur at the U.S. Open with a tie for 13th, won the week long California State Amateur with a 4-and-3 win over Buzz Peel.
The California State Amateur Championship began play on Monday with three days of stroke play at Poppy Hills Golf Club, with the top-32 advancing to match play at historic Pebble Beach. Levin finished stroke play at 214 (68-74-72) in a tie for fourth. On Thursday Levin defeated Josh Williams 7-and-6 in the first round and Eric Restrepo 5-and-4 in the second round. In the quarterfinals on Friday, Levin defeated Chris Heintz 6-and-5 and then in the most exciting match of the tournament defeated Casey Boyns in the semifinals 1up in 20 holes.
In the 36-hole final, Levin was in charge of most of the match. Peel took his only lead on the third hole, but Levin quickly erased it on the 6th hole. Levin would follow up on the seventh and take the lead for good, fin ishing the first 18-holes with a 2 up lead. On the second 18, Levin pushed his lead to 4up, but Peel quickly cut it back to 2 up. Levin though took opportunities on holes 29 and 31 to seal his victory.