Freshman Andrew Perez fired rounds of 71 and 72 on Monday, guiding SBCC to its first Western State Conference men’s golf title in coach Chuck Melendez’s nine-year tenure.
The Vaqueros topped the eight-team field in the first round at Cypress Ridge GC in Arroyo Grande with a 9-over-par 369. They finished fifth in the second round at 387 but still beat Ventura by five shots (756-761) to win the WSC Championship Tournament.
Perez, a former Santa Barbara High star, was the medalist at 1-under 143, beating Russell Boring of Ventura by two strokes. Perez was named WSC Player of the Year and teammate Matt Siporin was first-team all-conference.
Siporin matched Perez’s 1-under 71 in a windy opening round with Albert Corral and Cameron Tennant posting 75s.
“We went 7-0 in the first round to take control,” said Melendez, whose team carried a six-game lead over the field into the final round. “The wind was gusting to 30-35 mph and it was very cold. I’m very happy to win the league. Now, we’ll have to play very well to advance to the state tournament.”
The Vaqueros finished with a 61-16 record, two games ahead of Ventura and seven in front of Canyons. SBCC, Ventura, Canyons and Citrus earned spots in Monday’s 36-hole Southern Cal Regional, which will be played at Marshallia Ranch in Lompoc.
The top four teams will advance to the state tournament at Sierra View CC in Roseville.
WSC Championship Tournament
At par-72 Cypress Ridge GC
Arroyo Grande
? Team — 1, SBCC 367-387–756. 2, Ventura 377-384–761. 3, Canyons 392-371–763. 4, Citrus 383-384–767. 5, Hancock 390-386–776. 6, Moorpark 387-387–784. 7, Bakersfield 392-393–785. 8, Glendale 421-423–844.? Medalist — Andrew Perez, SBCC, 71-72–143.? SBCC scores — Perez 143, Cameron Tennant 75-73–148, Steve Wilson 77-79–156, Albert Corral 75-82– 157, Matt Siporin 71-88–159, Charley Cerchiai 82-81–163.? Final WSC standings — 1, SBCC 61-16. 2, Ventura 57-18. 3, Canyons 54-23. 4, Citrus 50-27. 5, Bakersfield 42-25. 6, Moorpark 20-57. 7, Hancock 20-57. 8, Glendale 2-75.
