Chopra charges ahead

Newport Coast resident Amit Chopra was one of eight golfers who

qualified for the 106th Southern California Golf Association Amateur

championship following his round Tuesday at the SCGA Golf Course in

Murrieta.

Chopra shot even-par 72 to secure a berth in the championship,

scheduled July 8-10 at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa

Margarita. Chris Arkin of Irvine joined Chopra at 72 -- the cutline

for automatic berths -- while Ian Hjulberg of Riverside earned

medalist honors with a 3-under 69.

Newport-Mesa residents who also finished Tuesday included with

residence and score: Michael Wanamaker (Costa Mesa, 76); Regan Kusmes

(Newport Beach, 78); Laurent Khaiat (Costa Mesa, 79); Bobby Meyerson

(Newport Coast, 80) and Brian Wegener (Newport Beach, 82).

*

The 15th Costa Mesa junior championships will be held July 26 at

Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club.

The tournament, conducted by the Southern California PGA, is open

to junior golfers ages 11-17 with an SCPGA membership.

Membership forms may be downloaded at scpga.com. Cost for yearly

membership is $125 with additional fees for each tournament entered.

Cost for the Costa Mesa championships is $40 for golfers ages 11 and

younger and $45 for players 12 and older.

*

The 33rd Costa Mesa city championships will be held Aug. 6-7 at

Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club.

Tournament Director Sean Collins is accepting entries. Players,

who must be 18 or older, must have an established handicap. The

tournament enjoyed its largest field in recent memory last year with

390 golfers entered into five flights.

Brandon Christianson of Valencia claimed the championship flight

by one stroke over Sam Morgan in 2004.

Call (714) 540-7500, ext. 108 for details.