88th Pasadena City Championship Concludes With Thrilling Playoff Victory

In a dramatic finish to the 88th Pasadena City Golf Championship, Kai Hirayama emerged victorious after a sudden-death playoff against Cole Kim. The two competitors finished the Tournamemt tied at three under par, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion at the historic Brookside Golf Club.

The prestigious March 24 event, which attracts over 300 elite amateur golfers from across Southern California, tested participants with its challenging 54-hole medal-play format. First played in 1929, the Tournamemt has long been a true test of competitive golf and a showcase for emerging talent.

Bob Baderian, Executive Director of The First Tee of Greater Pasadena, said the Pasadena City Championship has been very supportive of the First Tee mission. Their chapter receives funds from the golf Tournamemt, which allows the group to continue providing programs and opportunities in support of their mission. 

“Our mission is to impact the lives of the young people of the greater Pasadena area by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf,” Baderian said. 

Over 300 participants showcased their skills across 54 holes of challenging play during the Tournamemt. The event’s format not only tested elite amateur golfers but also highlighted emerging talent, with top finishers like Logan Kim, Andrew Cornell, Luke Bailey, and Bryant Hernandez making their mark.

Mark Fritz, Director of Programs and Operations at The First Tee of Greater Pasadena, said the Tournamemt raised some $13,000 which will go to additional programming in support of their mission. 

“We’re going to be doing a lot of outreach community programs, and those are programs that we charge zero dollars for,” Fritz said. “The funds from the Tournamemt help offset the cost of when our coaching staff goes out and delivers the golf programs to community outreach programs.” 

Looking ahead, The First Tee of Greater Pasadena has exciting plans in store. Baderian some of the upcoming events include a SoCal Chapter Cup Challenge on July 29, and the annual Invitational Golf Tournament on October 29, also at Brookside Golf Club. 

At the SoCal Chapter Cup, each of the six First Tee chapters in SoCal is allowed to bring up to 20 kids to compete against each other. 

“We have nine-hole and 18-hole events, so participants from First Los Angeles, Orange County, inland Empire, Coachella, San Diego, and ourselves, have what we call a Tournamemt match,” Baderian said. “The participants are awarded points for themselves as well as for their respective chapters.” 

The Pasadena City Golf Championship was first played in 1929 and has long been one of Southern California’s most prestigious men’s amateur Tournamemts. Since its founding, the Tournamemt has been played in several different formats, including match play, a 72-hole medal play event that usually runs from Thursday to Sunday. 

Today it’s a 54-hole medal play event with a 36-hole cut after two days. It features a large championship division for players with a low index of 2.6 or better, along with net flights for players of all abilities. 

The annual event averages more than 300 players and is seen as a true test of competitive golf for elite high school and collegiate golfers from all over the area, as well a chance for top mid-amateurs to play in a professional-format Tournamemt.

Brookside Men’s Golf Club regularly hosts the Pasadena City Championship in collaboration with The Rose Bowl Operating Company, American Golf and The First Tee of Greater Pasadena.