WEST CALDWELL, N.J. — There’s some magic in Dennis Younglove’s bag of tricks.

The popular Davis golfer — a champion at El Macero Country Club — is about to see how hot those sticks can get as the 64-year-old ball-striker plays in Saturday’s 58th annual USGA Senior Amateur Championship at Mountain Ridge Country Club.

Younglove qualified earlier this month when he carded a 69, four shots better than his nearest competition at Peach Tree Golf Course in Marysville.

Younglove’s 3-under round was the best score among 20 California golfers, who had validated their passports at three qualifying sites through the state. Across the nation, 156 men made their way through the maze of tournaments to get to New Jersey, and only 25 posted better entry rounds than Younglove.

At Marysville, Younglove got off to a quick start with birdies on the first two holes before coming back to Earth with a bogey on the third. Having started on the back nine at Peach Tree, Younglove birdied No. 18 and turned on the juice with two more birdies on Nos. 4 and 6.

Once at 4-under, a final-hole bogey gave Younglove more than enough to qualify.

Meanwhile, his competition was duking it out in a six-player playoff for the three remaining East Coast tickets.

Northern California golfers George Kelley (Stevinson), Peter Moren (Danville) and Gary Vanier (Pleasant Hill) eventually prevailed.

Younglove will tee off at 4:57 a.m. PST Saturday at the 81-year-old public course designed by Donald Ross.

The local golfer is paired with Mike Rice (Houston) and Doug Ritter (Davie, Fla.). Rice, 72, in this tournament’s oldest competitor. He also is one of nine former senior amateur national champions in the field, winning his title in 2005.

The tournament continues through Oct. 4.

To follow the competition, visit www.usga.org.

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