Bobcats track down SoCal Title

The Saddleback men's golf team won the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) Southern California Regional championship on Monday at Industry Hills Golf Club.  It was the first regional title for the program since 2003.

Saddleback was chasing the illusive title, which hadn't happened in 20 years.  The Bobcats had the added pressure of knowing they had been denied a year ago when they lost in a card-off to Cypress College at Olivas Links in Ventura.  Saddleback quickly shook off the pressures in cruising to a 20-stroke victory.

Saddleback opened the day with a team total of 366 in the morning round on the 6,821-yard, par-71 layout.  It was 17 shots better than the closest competitor, Riverside City College, and put the Bobcats in a great position heading into the afternoon round. 

Saddleback shot 375 during the afternoon round as the scores started to rise due to warmer temperatures and a grueling 36-hole walk.  It was still good enough to finish second among the 10 teams in attendance and increase the overall lead to 20 shots. 

Carson Adams was the leader, firing an opening round of 68 (-3) to take the lead by one shot in medalist play.  Adams (pictured below) again finished strong in round two when he birdied the 18^th hole to finish at 72 (+1) for a 36-hole total of 140 (-2).  Adams ended up winning medalist honors by two shots over Riverside City College's Bingcheng Zheng (142). 

Declan Lane was consistent with scores of 72 and 75 to finish at +5 for the tournament.  Denis Watson was right on his heels, shooting 77-72 (149).  Clayton Smith was a big contributer when he shot even par (71) in the opening round.  Arthur Hess chipped in with a round of 75 in the afternoon.  

Saddleback's regional title is the first since 2003 when the program finished fourth at the state championships the following week.  It is the second straight season that Saddleback will play in the state finals, which hadn't happened since 2007-08.  Saddleback last won a men's golf state championship in 2007 after winning the Orange Empire Conference championship and finishing fourth at the regional finals.

The 2023 state championships will be played at Dragonfly Golf Club in Madera on Sunday and Monday.   Joining Saddleback at the state tournament will be College of the Desert, Riverside City College and Cuyamaca College after advancing on Monday.  

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