WALNUT, CA – The defending state champion Cypress College men's golf team captured its first Orange Empire Conference men's golf title since 1976 following an outstanding 36-hole showing at Royal Vista Country Club (Par-71) on Monday.
The Chargers entered the final round of the OEC Tournament one win back of the lead, but managed to overtake Orange Coast and hold off Mt. San Antonio to win the title outright. Cypress shot a third-best 366 in the morning round, before posting a top team score of 351 in the afternoon round.
Cypress' David Marris and Matthew Wotherspoon led the Chargers on the day. Marris struggled in the morning round, shooting 5-over par, before tallying the lowest score of the day at 5-under par in the afternoon, for a combined score of 142. Wotherspoon matched Marris' overall score of 142, shooting 2-over in the morning round and 2-under in the afternoon.
"The perfect storm had to happen," said Head Coach Dana Bedard. "We knew we had to win the second round and the guys were able to get it done and win the whole thing. They really came out and played well…the draught is over."
Following the victory, Coach Bedard earned his first career Orange Empire Conference Coach of the Year Award, while Marris earned Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year honors with a 71.9 season average.
Coach Bedard and the Chargers will move on to the CCCAA Southern California Regional round at Los Serranos Country Club on Monday, May 6. The 10-team, 36-hole, event is scheduled to tee-off at 7:00am.
"We have to get refocused and treat this like a new season," said Bedard. "It all starts with preparation for another 36 holes. We have played this course many times before, so it's not like they don't know the course. The teams that stay focused will move forward."
Cypress, who captured their first men's golf team state championship last season, is hoping to follow up their historic run with another CCCAA Title.
"There are six teams from the south who I think have a chance to win the whole thing, but I believe if my guys play the way they're supposed to play we can advance to Napa and compete for a State Championship."
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