TEMECULA, Calif. — Linfield Christian freshman Jack Maher made an immediate impact in his first varsity golf season, winning the inaugural Golden Bear Invitational last month.

Competing against a 78-player field at Temecula Creek Inn, Maher shot a 3-under-par 68 to secure medalist honors. The tournament featured 13 high school teams from across Southern California, establishing itself as a competitive early-season event in the Inland Empire.

Jack Maher holds his first-place prize after winning a 2024 qualifier that secured his spot in The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Miami. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Maher recorded six birdies during his round, allowing him to pull ahead of top high school golfers from the region. His victory at the Temecula Valley event adds an early highlight to his freshman campaign with the Linfield Christian Lions.

The win at the Golden Bear Invitational builds on Maher’s prior competitive success. Before joining the high school ranks, he gained significant tournament experience, including a notable victory in 2024 that qualified him for The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Miami. Now, he brings that competitive background to the high school level.

Linfield Christian’s golf team looks to carry this early momentum forward as they proceed through their regular season schedule.

Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com.

JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist and head of the sports department at the Valley News. A former Southwestern League head baseball coach and former President of the Temecula Youth Baseball League, he has also worked as a local radio personality for All Pro Broadcasting and as a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When he’s not covering sports, JP works in the Media Technology Department for Major League Baseball.