Pirates go low to take top spot at OEC matchup
COSTA MESA -- With ideal conditions to score low, the Orange Coast College men's golf team did just that on Monday, topping the field at this week's Orange Empire Conference matchup, hosted by the Pirates at Costa Mesa Country Club.
Playing on the par-72 Los Lagos Course, the Pirates shot a combined score of 13-under-par, 347 with all six OCC players shooting under par for the afternoon. "That's something I don't think I've seen in my years here at OCC," Pirate head coach Sean Collins said. "To have all six players come in under par shows that there is talent and depth up and down our lineup and if we all play well, we are a tough team to beat."
Leading the way for the Pirates was sophomore Connor O'Hern, who competed in the No. 2 slot and carded a 5-under-par 67. Bryce Sheridan was close behind with a 3-under 69, followed by Tyler Thurmond (2-under 70), Myoung Kim (2-under 70), Mike Stephens (1-under 71) and Ian Gilbert (1-under 71).
Mt. San Antonio College, led by Josh Song's 8-under 64, finished second overall with a team score of 354, while Cypress finished third with a 364, followed by Saddleback (382), Riverside (390) and Irvine Valley (393).
It is a three-team fight for the top spot in the always-tough OEC with the Mounties currently in first place with a 25-5 conference record, followed by OCC and Cypress, each at 23-7.
OCC will take part in the Southern California Regional Preview at Los Serranos on Monday, beginning at 8 a.m. The OEC schools will meet up again on Wednesday, April 10 at the Pacific Palms Resort, hosted by Mt. SAC, beginning at 11 a.m.
