Riverside begins defense of 2015 state title

The 2015 Orange Empire Conference men's golf season has begun and Riverside City College is the defending state champion after taking the 2014 title on its home course.

The season started back at the Victoria Club in a non-conference tune-up in January and the Tigers were again impressive as they shot a team score of 372 to edge out UC Riverside (380) and 14 other two-year and four-year programs.  Conference rival Santiago Canyon (381) placed third and Orange Coast (387) took fifth.

The actual conference season began on February 9 with the first round of the two-day OEC Tee-Off Classic held at Los Serranos.  Riverside was able to start off right where it ended, posting a 366 on the north course for an eight stroke win over Santiago Canyon (374) as Robby Melton led the way for the Tigers with a 3-under par 69 to earn medalist honors.  The second round of the Tee-Off Classic on the Los Serranos south course was captured by Santiago Canyon (374) with Riverside (379) placing second.  Five players tied for medalist honors with 2-under par rounds of 72:  Tanner Dice and Byron Busse of Santiago Canyon, Chad Hambright of Riverside, and Connor Hurst and Bryson Bentley of Orange Coast.

This week it was Myles Valentine of Orange Coast celebrating Valentine's week with a 4-under par 68 at the Eagle Classic on the Soboba Springs course to help Orange Coast (pictured) win the event with a team score of 359.  Hurst added a 69 for the Pirates.  Riverside (361) finished second as Wes Hatton carded a 2-under 70 and Santiago Canyon (371) placed third.

The OEC schedule continues on Wednesday, February 25, as Cypress College hosts the conference at the Navy course.