Golfer’s Ambitious Summer Serves as Warm-Up for SMU

As golfer Kevin Eden of Granada Hills packs his bags for next week’s trip to Southern Methodist, where he begins his college career, he knows he’s right on schedule. He just didn’t imagine the schedule would be so busy.

Eden completed an ambitious and successful summer with his third straight junior tournament victory when he won a two-day tournament this week at Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park. Eden fired a pair of 70s to win by five strokes over runner-up Mike Zambri of Westlake High.

The victory served as an appropriate finishing touch to a breakthrough summer for the L.A. Baptist graduate, whose golf career has taken him to tournaments in Texas, Florida, Ohio and North Carolina.

“I’ve played in about 150 tournaments since I started golf when I was 7,” he said. “I always seemed to be a bridesmaid. I finished sixth when they were giving trophies for the top five.”

This summer was different. He scored victories in junior championships in Santa Anita and Hacienda Heights before winning at Los Coyotes. His biggest triumph came at the end of July in the Southern California Golf Assn. Junior Invitational at Los Angeles Country Club. He was forced to go three extra holes before winning a three-way playoff.

“I’m proud of those wins, especially the one at the L.A. Country Club,” he said. “It came down to the three-footers. Whatever people say, it always comes down to who can make those.”

Eden picked up those work habits from longtime personal coach Ron Rhoads, the head professional at the Rivera Country Club and former USC coach.

“It’s no surprise he’s had success,” Rhoads said. “In this game that treats you in so many funny ways, you must have patience. Kevin has patience. He’s right on schedule.”

The next stop on Eden’s schedule, which he hopes points toward a professional career, is Dallas, Tex., and SMU.

“I’m real independent; I wanted to get away,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter where I am as long as I get on a golf course. That’s where I’m comfortable.”