The high school golf career of Wilson senior Tyler Schafer has been full of steady play and historic moments. His last round at the CIF State Championship on Wednesday was no different.
Schafer finished tied for fourth with an even-par round at San Gabriel Country Club. He is the first Moore League golfer to reach three consecutive CIF State finals, and his fourth place finish is the best ever for a Bruin. Schafer also finished fourth in 2016.
“It’s kind of a bummer it’s over because it’s been four years to remember,” Schafer said. “It’s been a great experience.”
Schafer, who set the record in his third consecutive Moore League individual championship this year, also helped Wilson win two CIF team championships in the last three years.
“I’ve had a lot of fun playing a lot of golf with my teammates,” Schafer said. “I recommend playing high school golf to any golfers. You also get to see a variety of courses, and it made me the person and golfer I am today.”
Schafer had two birdies and two bogies at San Gabriel Country Club — a course he compared to the shorter and narrow style of Virginia Country Club. The unexpected overcast and misty weather on Wednesday was also a factor for Schafer.
“It was a little different because I usually don’t play with a jacket on,” Schafer said. “That’s not my thing. But you have to do what you have to do.”
The first hole of the day set the tone for Schafer. He put his tee shot in a bunker with an iron, and then saved par.
“Who puts an iron in a bunker?” Schafer laughed. “It was a hell of a par. And then I just moseyed through the rest of my round. It was an interesting day.”
Schafer birdied the par-5 fourth hole, and the long par-4 10th hole, to move to 1-under par on the day. That was his score when he three-putted the 17th green, and then he saw a birdie putt lip out on the 18th hole.
“It was a steady round,” Schafer said. “I just try to keep things in control, making sure big numbers don’t come up.”
Schafer is committed to attend Long Beach State next year.
