AND STILL CHAMP; TURNER SAYS HE'LL BE BACK FOR MORE L.A. CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Byline: Kristen Davis Daily News Staff Writer

Michael Turner sent a message to Southern California golfers when he won his third Los Angeles Men's Championship.

He is back and motivated to win his fourth title.

One more championship will make the Sherman Oaks amateur the tournament's most decorated player. His three titles, the most recent on June 8, equal Bud Bradley's collection. Bradley won his in 1969, 71 and 73.

``I would definitely like to win one more time,'' said Turner, 40. ``It's going to be difficult, though, because I'm getting older and the players are getting younger.''

Turner, who won the tournament with a 2-under 284 total over two weekends of competition at Harding, Wilson and Rancho Park golf clubs, won previously in 1987 and 1990.

A member of Woodland Hills Country Club, Wilson chose to skip the L.A. Championship to play in the California State Amateur tournament in 1995 and '96. He returned this year because the two tournaments were held over separate weekends.

Wilson, a 1981 Cal State Northridge graduate, said he is returning next summer to defend his title, even if the championship is held the same weekend as the California Amateur event.

Former CSUN golfers have dominated the event this decade. Turner was the fourth Matadors golfer to claim the title in five years.

``Playing in tournaments is very self-satisfying,'' Turner said. ``When things go well it feels good to know that when you work hard it pays off.''

Turner, vice president of Paltex Inc., has been hitting the links since he was 13 and plays about twice a week.

``It's never easy, but I've always enjoyed it. It's a great escape from things going on in your life and I have been fortunate enough to play in some of the most beautiful cities in the world,'' he said.

Some of his golf stops statewide include Carmel and Pebble Beach. Internationally, he has traveled to courses in England and Scotland.

Turner said this year's championship held more meaning because he dedicated the event to the late Marty Tregnan, president of the Municipal Golf Association who died in March.

``He was a big part of L.A. city golf,'' said Turner, who has suggested naming the tournament trophy after Tregnan. ``He was at the starter table announcing people at junior tournaments and all of the city championships. It's not the same without him there. He used to tell jokes as he announced people's names.''

Turner, who is playing in the Oxnard City Championship on July 12, plans to play at the amateur level for at least another 10 years.

His ultimate goal is to play on the PGA Senior Tour.

``When I was in college I dreamed about playing on the PGA Tour, but I wasn't good enough,'' Turner said. ``If I have enough time to practice I could possibly be able to play on the Senior Tour.''

He acknowledged it will be a difficult year to enter.

``When I turn 50, Nick Price and Nick Faldo also turn 50,'' he said.

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PHOTO (color) Former Cal State Northridge golfer Michael Turner has three L.A. city championship trophies and says he'll return next year to defend his title. Turner, who won this year's title with a two-under 284, eventually wants to play on the PGA Senior Tour.

John Lazar / Special to the Daily News