Chris Crisologo has opened his 2018 schedule with a big win in Argentina.
The Richmond golfer captured the South American Amateur Championship on Tuesday at the Martindale Country Club.
Crisologo jumped to the top of the leaderboard thanks to a sizzling 8-under 64 in the second round and never looked back. He cruised to a four-shot win with a 275 (72-64-66-73) total in the 72-hole stroke play event.
The senior at Simon Fraser University, who was named the Richmond Sports Awards’ Post Secondary Male Athlete of the Year for 2016, has five collegiate wins under his belt. His junior season included being a First Team All-American and Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Last fall, he was the youngest member named to Golf Canada’s 2018 national team.
Crisologo overcame an impressive field in Buenos Aires, including several big names at the NCAA Division One level.
Florida University senior and SEC champion Alejandro Tosti of Argentina finished second at 9-under.
Oklahoma Sooner Aaron Terrazas of Mexico and Rafeal Miranda of Ecuador shared third at 8-under while Ireland's Alex Gleeson and Kansas Jayhawk Charlie Hillier tied for fifth at 7-under.
On his Twitter account, Crisologo dedicated the win to Harry White who passed away on Jan. 2 after a lengthy illness. White was a major influence in igniting Crisologo’s passion for golf thanks to the popular Junior Linkster Tour he ran for decades. White also did a lot of his work running lessons at Savage Creek on No. 6 Road. He was featured by the Richmond News last August.
“Opening the year with heartbreak and celebration. This one’s for you Mr. White. Wouldn’t have been here without you,” he wrote.
