Gauchos one round from back-to-back titles

The Saddleback women's golf team is one round from capturing the Orange Empire Conference title for the second straight season after posting an opening round of 338 at the two-day Orange Empire Conference Finals at Los Serranos Country Club. 

Saddleback had another fine performance throughout, led by Brittney Do.  The freshman from Marina High School fired the low score of the day with a 3-over-par round of 77 on the par 74, 6,082-yard layout. 

Saddleback had an eight win advantage over second place Irvine Valley College heading into the OEC Finals and with double points being awarded for the finals only needed to finish the two rounds of golf higher than fourth place in order to capture the conference title.  After round one they have a 40-shot advantage on both Mt. San Antonio College and Fullerton College, who would both need to finish in front of the Gauchos in order for IVC to tie for the conference title.

In addition to the team title, Do now has an seven shot advantage in the individual conference title after the round of 77 on Monday.  She started the day three shots in front of Irvine Valley's Kylie Sok, who shot an 81 in the opening round.  The second best round of the day was from Mt. San Antonio's Mackenzie Kelly (79), who started the day 34 shots back of Do for the OEC individual title.

Do was joined by three other rounds in the 80's from fellow Gauchos as Brooke Yafckli shot 86, Tannaz Khazeni 87 and Deanna Pagaduan 88. 

If Saddleback holds on to win the Orange Empire Conference title, it will be the first back-to-back titles for the program since going back-to-back for head coach Bill Cunnerty in 2005-2006.  The Gauchos once won four straight titles from 2000-2003, winning 6-of-7 from 2000-2006.

Saddleback will play the final round against OEC competition on Wednesday at Los Serranos in Chino Hills. 

TEAM SCORES:

Saddleback, 338
Irvine Valley, 349
Fullerton, 378
Mt. San Antonio, 378
Orange Coast, DNQ