Gauchos one round from OEC title

The Saddleback women's golf team started the Orange Empire Conference Championships with a 33-stroke advantage over both Mt. San Antonio College and Fullerton College on Wednesday at Los Serranos Golf Course in Chino Hills.  The two-day event will conclude next Wednesday.

Saddleback only has to post a team score next Wednesday to capture a third straight Orange Empire Conference title.  The Gauchos ran away with the first round on Wednesday by posting a team total of 341. 

Brittney Do led Saddleback with a 4-over-par round of 78.  Her round was good enough for a tie for second place in medalist play behind Irvine Valley's Katie Stribling (76), who moved within two shots of Eunsoo Jeon in the season race for the top player in the conference.  Do is now cemented in third place in conference play, 18 shots back of Jeon and 16 shots back of Stribling with one round remaining in conference play. 

Saddleback's big win on Wednesday included a solid round from Tomoko Kim, who battled back from a rough front nine to shoot 86.  Kim (pictured) was +12 on the opening nine before turning things around and shooting even par on the back nine.  Her big turnaround was highlighted with a chip-in on the 13^th hole for eagle. 

Saddleback had three other players in the 80's in Tannaz Khazeni (88), Sunhae Son (89) and Anna Stowers (89). 

The Orange Empire Conference Championships will finish up next Wednesday at Los Serranos.  Provided the Gauchos can get four players to finish the round they will capture a third straight OEC title.

ROUND 1 RESULTS