VC 4th at SoCal Regionals, Qualifies for State

The Pirate golf team shot a 367-375, 742 Monday at Ventura's Olivas Links Golf Course Monday to place fourth at the Southern California regional Championships, qualifying as a team for the CCCAA State Championships next week. Nicholas Burns fired a 4-under 67-73, 240 to finish second overall while Steen Zeman was tied for fourth with a 1-under 74-69, 243. Both were named to the All-Southern California Team.

Burns was on fire on the opening round, carding a 5-under 67 to share the lead. He cooled off somewhat in the afternoon, but still shot a solid 1-over 73 to post an overall score of 140, three shots off first place. 

Zeman, meanwhile, came out with a 2-over 74 in the morning before turning things around in the afternoon, reporting a 3-under 69. His total of 143 was good for a tie for fourth place overall.

VC was fourth after the first 18 holes, posting a 367 in the morning round. They came back in the afternoon with a 375 to finish at 742, nine shots off the 733 posted by Cypress and Saddleback. Canyons was third at 734, one shot off the pace.

Other VC golfers helped qualify the Pirates for state. Evan Colborn shot 72-77, 149 and Jonas Slattum turned in a consistent 77-76, 153. Zack Garboski shot 77-80, 157. Joshua Calderon posted an 87 in the morning round while Nicolai Cascione came on in the afternoon to score an 80.

Ventura qualifies for state as a team for the first time since 2017. It is the second state trip for head coach Chad Wright and the 11th state championship appearance in program history.

The Pirates will tee up at the 36-hole CCCAA State Championships on Monday May 16 at Soboba Springs Golf Course in San Jacinto. 

Southern California Championships (36 Holes)
At par-72 Olivas Links Golf Course, Ventura
Final scores
1) Cypress, 365-368, 733; 2) Saddleback, 362-371,733; 3) Canyons, 363-371, 734; 4) VENTURA, 367-375, 742; 5) Desert, 376-370, 746; 6) Orange Coast, 391-385, 765; 7) Mt. San Antonio, 382-392, 774; 8) Glendale, 391-385, 776; Riverside, 393-385, 778; 10) Citrus, 387-391, 778.

Medalist: 1. Hugo Amsallem (CoC), 68-69, 137; 2. Nicholas Burns (VC), 67-73, 140; 3. Bryan Urip (Cyp), 73-69, 142; 4. (tie) Steen Zeman (VC) 74-69, 143; Denis Watson (Sbk), 73-70, 143; 6. Johyn Dearth (Cit), 69-75, 144; 7. (tie) Zac Stout (Sbk), 74-72, 146; Ethan Thomas (MtSAC), 75-71, 146; Adam Naaman (Cyp), 73-73, 146; 10. (tie) Jeremy Kallmann (CoD), 40-43, 147; Ryan Gay (SBCC), 77-70, 147; Octavio Romero (BC), 76-71, 147.

VC Record: 98-34 (64-13)