Andrew Perez turned in another superior performance on Monday, helping SBCC claim second in the Southern Cal Regional and advance to the State Finals in men’s golf.
Perez shot 69 and 72 at Marshallia Ranch in Lompoc for a 36-hole total of 3-under 141. The WSC Player of the Year shot 5-under on the back nine, beating Blake Humphrey of Palomar by two shots to become the Southern Cal champion as a freshman. Matt Siporin (78-73–151) finished in a 13th-place tie for the Vaqueros and Steve Wilson (72-80–152) was 18th in the 76-player field.
Palomar won the 11-team tourney at 21-over 741. SBCC was second at 753, followed by WSC rivals Ventura (755) and Canyons (757). The top four teams advance to Monday’s State Final 8 at Sierra Vista in Roseville.
“We played a good first round, trailing Palomar by one shot (370-371),” said Vaquero coach Chuck Melendez. “But we didn’t play very well in the second round. We need to learn how to finish. Andrew’s play was the biggest reason we got second place.
“We’ll have to play better next week to win the state title.”
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL
At par-72 Marshallia Ranch GC, Lompoc
Team — State qualifiers: 1, Palomar 370-371–741. 2, SBCC 371-382–753. 3, Ventura 376-381–755. 4, Canyons 757. Non-qualifiers: 5, Santiago Canyon 770. 6, Orange Coast 778. 7, Citrus 787. 8, Long Beach City 788. 9, Mt. SAC 792. 10, College of the Desert 797. 11, Cypress 809.
Medalist — Andrew Perez, SBCC, 69-72–141.
Other SBCC scores — 7 (tie), Matt Siporin 78-73–151. 18 (tie), Steve Wilson 72-80–152. 30 (tie), Albert Corral 76-79–155. 41 (tie), Alex McElhaney 76-82–158. 49 (tie), Cameron Tennant 82-78–160.
