CHAMPION MATADOR UPTGRAFT KEEPS CSUN'S TITLE TRADITION.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer

If it's the Los Angeles City men's amateur golf championship, it must be about Cal State Northridge.

Brad Uptgraft became the 10th CSUN player in 17 years to win a City title when he completed a 7-under-par 279 performance in the 72-hole competition held last month at Griffith Park's par-72 Wilson GC and the par-71 course at Rancho Park.

With former Valencia Country Club head pro Dan Hernandez as his caddie, Uptgraft shot 67-72 in his final two rounds at Rancho to come from four shots off the midway pace.

Uptgraft, who will start his senior season of college as one of CSUN's five City champions - including multiple winners Michael Turner and Tim Hogarth - credits instructor/caddie Hernandez for helping make him a believer.

``It's all visualization and confidence and making sure you're committed to each shot,'' said the second-year Northridge golfer, who helped College of the Canyons win a state championship last year.

If Uptgraft is a believer, longtime CSUN coach Jim Bracken is struggling with disbelief at the streak of success his golfers have enjoyed in the City championship - a competition that dates to 1918 and includes eventual PGA Tour players Al Geiberger, Corey Pavin, Duffy Waldorf and David Berganio among its past champions.

The list nearly got longer.

``I was supposed to win it in 2000,'' said three-time State Amateur qualifier Scott Bashin, who finished his senior season at CSUN this year. ``But Hogarth took it from me and I was third. I told him, `At least it's a CSUN guy.' And now Brad wins it this year. It was awesome.''

Said Bracken: ``It's amazing is what it is.''

Bracken used to joke the City was CSUN's championship after Shane O'Brien, Song Hyun, Hogarth and Turner won consecutive titles from 1994 to 1997. Now, with two titles for Turner and four for Hogarth - including three in a row before Tommy Barber of Griffith Park ended that streak last year - and eight victories by Matadors in the past 10 City championships, the Northridge coach isn't sure what to think.

``What are the chances?'' Bracken said. ``I don't know why it is, but I wish I could bottle it up. It's a great credit to our program. It's like it's our tournament now. I called Brad before the last round, left a message on his phone telling him, `You know, this is the Matadors' tournament, and I expect you to win.' ''

Uptgraft already had taken a big step in that direction before that phone call, delivering a 4-under 67 in the third round at Rancho, where he was so much into visualization, confidence and commitment that he literally didn't know where he was.

``At one point, I asked him if he knew what hole we were playing,'' Hernandez said. ``He said he didn't have any idea. I told him, `That's perfect.' ''

Hernandez said Uptgraft's City title is a reflection of the improvement the former four-time Valencia High standout has made in his game during the past 12 months.

``His progress has been excellent,'' said Hernandez, who also works with PGA Tour player Jason Gore and teaches one day a week at Van Nuys Golf Course. ``Brad has especially improved his golf swing. He's working more and more with different types of shots, which is what he needs to do to advance to the next level.

``But more important, his mental attitude is really good. He is far improved in that area. He is mentally tough.''

Uptgraft said he's learned a lot more about course management since high school.

``I'd just go out there and fire at every flag and try to make every putt,'' he said.

``I've learned par is just an awesome score and if you've got a chance to make par, the birdies will go in. But if you get really aggressive, you bring in bogeys and double bogeys. I'm definitely more disciplined.''

He'll take that discipline and some important local knowledge into the U.S. Amateur sectional qualifying tournament in August at Valencia Country Club, where he plays as often as he can with PGA Tour pros Gore and Bob Burns - another former CSUN star.

Uptgraft likely also will go into that qualifier with some added confidence after winning the 86th City championship in what has become CSUN's most productive tournament of the year.

Dave Shelburne, [phone]

dave.shelburne(at)dailynews.com

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Brad Uptgraft credits visualization, confidence and committing to every shot for helping him win the City amateur championship.

David Crane/Staff Photographer