Wheatley’s season ends

Corona del Mar High’s Chase Wheatley saw his prep golf career come to an end Thursday in Pasadena, but he took pride in a strong finish to his senior season.

Wheatley shot one-over-par 73 and did not finish in the top six to advance from the CIF/SCGA Regional Qualifier at Brookside Golf Club.

He finished with two birdies and three bogeys.

“I felt like overall I’m very pleased with the season,” said Wheatley, bound for Rutgers. “From how the season started out, I was pretty hot and then I had a rough slump in the middle and picked it up in the end. Overall, I finished off on a high note, which is nice. It’s nice to see that things I’m working on are being accomplished.”

Wheatley shot four-over 76 and was among the top 28 to advance from the CIF Southern Section Individual Final Championship at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc last week. But he needed to be in the top six Thursday to move on to the CIF State Championship at Quail Lodge in Carmel June 5.

Wheatley said he plans to play in a few events before leaving for Rutgers in late August. He said he’ll play in the Western Junior Amateur in Indiana in June and the U.S. Amateur qualifier at TPC Valencia in July.

— Steve Virgen