Golf team nearly knocks off Saddleback in conference opener
Mar 07, 2006
After nearly two months of tournaments and pre-conference events, the Irvine Valley men's golf team finally opened Orange Empire Conference play on Monday against Saddleback at Tijeras Creek.
Saddleback, which is the favorite to win conference, went into the match-up with a record of 5-0 in dual matches.
The Lasers played right with the Gauchos, losing by just one stroke, 389-390. Saddleback lost to two other teams in head-to-head play. Santiago Canyon finished at 383 and Cuyamaca came in at 387.
The host school in conference matches plays against all the teams involved. The visiting school's score counts just against the home team.
For Irvine Valley, Jimmy Willingham led the way with a score of 75. Cory Cannon was next at 76 and Derrick Taylor was Irvine Valley's third scorer at 78.
Taylor went into the match as the team's sixth golfer.
Aaron Levine was next with a score of 80.
Rounding out the top five for the team was Brad Chamberlin at 81. And Travis Reeves shot 85 for Irvine Valley.
The top five players' scores are counted.
“Our conference is so strong that we need for our number one and two position players to shoot par to 1 or 2 over par," Irvine Valley Coach Ben Burnett said.
"The number three through five positions need to shoot scores of 74 to 76 and the number 6 player needs to shoot scores of 77 or 78.
"We have the talent on this squad to shoot those scores. We just need to be more consistent and blend ball striking skills with course management and strategy.”
Irvine Valley plays its home opener on Wednesday at Oak Creek. Tee off is at 12:15 p.m. The Lasers will host Cuyamaca, Orange Coast and Santiago Canyon.