Back to real world for Lodi junior golfer

Beau Zastrow spent last week socializing with professional athletes, celebrities and CEOs.

His days were spent at Pebble Beach, home to one of the most prestigious and scenic golf courses in the world. His nights were highlighted by exquisite dinners, entertainment and stays on the gorgeous Monterey Peninsula.

Today, Zastrow returns for his senior year at St. Mary's High School.

It's back to reality for the Lodi teenager, who fulfilled a dream by playing in the Champion Tour's First Tee Open pro-am this past weekend at Pebble Beach.

After arriving home at 11 p.m. on Sunday, Zastrow awoke at 5 a.m. on Monday and drove his caddy for the tournament, Cody Catlin, to the Sacramento airport.

On the drive back, Zastrow's thoughts returned to the real world.

"It kind of hit me," Zastrow said from his Woodbridge home early Monday evening.

"I have to finish reading a book, getting homework gathered. And I have to wake up early and go back to school. It's like 'can I repeat last week over again?' "

But even a return to school doesn't seem likely to bring Zastrow down from his high.

Zastrow was paired with longtime professional Bruce Summerhays during the first two rounds of play. The duo shot a 2-under 70 in last Friday's opening round at Pebble Beach Golf Links and followed with a 3-under 69 in Saturday's second round on the Del Monte Golf Course.

They needed a top-22 finish to qualify for Sunday's final round at Pebble Beach, but their two-round total of 139 left them four shots off the mark and tied for 45th.

However, Zastrow did return to the Del Monte course on Sunday for one final round of golf.

"It felt like I was still playing in the first field," said Zastrow, who was in a foursome that included former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman and three-time Super Bowl winner Harris Barton.

"I was still meeting new people and I went out to Pebble Beach later to follow my friends who were still playing. It was still a great experience.

"I had an awesome time playing with Bruce. He taught me some things and we cracked some jokes. He gave me his cell number so I could stay in touch."

Zastrow added that he'll try to qualify for the tournament again next summer.

But for now, he's got some other business to tend to.

The senior and only four-year letterman on his high school team will try to lead the Rams to their fourth straight league championship. He also has to choose a college, and is considering the University of the Pacific, University of San Francisco and St. Mary's College in Moraga.

The future aside, Zastrow won't soon forget the summer of '08 and his week at Pebble Beach.

"It was the experience of a lifetime," he said.