Lords of the Links: Some of the...

Lords of the Links: Some of the best amateur golf in the U.S. is played in the San Fernando Valley region, and local golfers have the hardware to prove it. Valley players already have won five major amateur tournaments this year. The Valley was also represented by amateurs in the Master’s and the U.S. Open. Next up: the crown jewel of amateur golf--the U.S. Amateur championship later this month.

Gore a Hot Shot: Jason Gore, above, has finished no worse than third in his last six tournaments, a streak that includes victories in the California Amateur, the California Open and the Pacific Coast Amateur. This past weekend Gore, 23, of Valencia, was among 10 American golfers to compete against Great Britain’s best amateurs for the prestigious Walker Cup.

Top Young Gun: Jason Semelsberger, 18, of Newhall was the youngest golfer to qualify for the U.S. Open in June. The UCLA sophomore, a former Hart High standout, also was a factor in the Southern California Amateur, sharing the third-round lead before fading to sixth.

Always on Par: Craig Steinberg and Tim Hogarth are still going strong after long amateur careers. Steinberg, 39, of Van Nuys last month won the Southern California Amateur for the fourth time. Hogarth, 31, of Chatsworth, played in the Master’s in April as the defending U.S. Public Links champion. He also shot a record 138 over 36 holes in the California Amateur at Pebble Beach in June.