BAKERSFIELD: A memorable and historic day for Bakersfield High golfer Bhavik Patel started out inauspiciously on March 17.

Patel, who found himself in the final group at the LA city Junior Amateur Championship, double, bogeyed the first hole to drop six strokes back of the lead at Griffith Park’s Wilson and Harding courses.

No matter. Patel recovered to stay in the race on the front nine, then shot 31 on the back to win the tournament by five strokes with a three-day total of 6-under-par 210. Patel, a senior at BHS, joins a list of LA.

City junior winners that includes current pros Bob May (1986) and Tiger Woods (1991), the world’s No.1 player. "Especially Tiger," Patel said. "Knowing that I’ll be in the record books with Tiger, the world’s No. 1, feels really good."

At fifteen years old Bhavik Patel was the youngest player in history to place 2nd in the SCGA. He was honored as the 2006 Michelob & Copeland player of the year.

He has been featured in over 10 news segments and numerous newspaper articles. In 2007 has achieved the BHS play of the year award, ending the year with a record braking 68 average for the year.

Living in Bakersfield CA, he continues his effort in achieving golf excellence, and inspiring others to get involved in the great game of golf.