COSTA MESA - The Mt. San Antonio College men's golf team climbed to the top of the Orange Empire Conference standings this week after winning last week's conference match at Victoria Country Club in Riverside and finishing second to Orange Coast at this week's match on the Costa Mesa Country Club's Los Lagos course.

Mountie sophomore Josh Song has proven to be the difference in the climb to the top, dropping 11 strokes off his previous score to post a 4-under-par 68 at Victoria to earn medalist honors.  He improved that mark this week when he posted an 8-under-par 64 to earn medalist honors on the Costa Mesa Country Club course.

The Mounties posted a team score of 360 at Victoria to edge out Orange Coast (364) while Cypress finished third (376) and Saddleback ended up fourth (377).  Felix Tsui added a 2-under-par 70 at Victoria to help the Mounties while Blake Copeland (73), Han Lee (74), and Julio Ibarra (75) were all chasing par.  Orange Coast was paced by Myoung Kim (69) and Connor O'Hern (71) while Cypress saw David Marris card a 73.  Saddleback's run at a top three finish ended up a stroke shy despite solid rounds from Chase Bosanko (70) and Cole Griffo (72).

Defending state champion Cypress dropped out of the lead in the conference standings this week after placing third at Costa Mesa.  Despite a team score of 364, the Chargers could not catch an Orange Coast team which posted a sub-par team score of 347 or Mt. San Antonio's 354.  Orange Coast had a red-letter day with all six players posting scores under par.  The Pirates throw-out score to arrive at a team total would be a 1-under-par 71 as O'Hern posted a 5-under-par 67 and Bryce Sheridan added a 3-under-par 69.  Tyler Thurmond and Kim would add 70's to the team total.

In addition to Song's 64, Mt. San Antonio enjoyed Han Lee's first sub-par round of the year, a 5-under-par 67.  Copeland added another 73 to help the Mounties' scoring.  Cypress would receive a 67 from Marris and a 1-under-par 71 from Dalton Davenport to ensure a third place finish at this week's event. Saddleback (382) would finish fourth despite a 3-under-par 69 from Griffo.

April 1 at Costa Mesa CC
(par 72)

TEAM
1. Orange Coast - 347
2. Mt. San Antonio - 354
3. Cypress - 364
4. Saddleback - 382
5. Riverside - 390
6. Irvine Valley - 393

INDIVIDUAL  
1.   Josh Song (MSAC) - 64
T2. Han Lee (MSAC) - 67
T2. David Marris (CYP) - 67
T2. Connor O'Hern (OCC) - 67
T5. Cole Griffo (SADD) - 69
T5. Bryce Sheridan (OCC) - 69

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No April Fools Joke! Mt. SAC’s Josh Song Shoots a 64 at OEC Match #4; Mounties Remain in First

By John Sherrard
Mt. San Antonio College Athletics

COSTA MESA - It was no April Fools Joke! On April 1st, Mt. SAC golfer Josh Song finished with an amazing 8-under par 64, which rivals previous bests in the state. Song remained hot for the second match in a row. He led the Mounties' Men's Golf Team to a second-place finish Monday (4/1) in Orange Empire Conference Match #4 at the Costa Mesa Country Club (Los Lagos).

"This was my career low," said Song, of the 64 (8 under par). "I approached it as any other round."

"It was sad that we finished second, but we all talked about it and are ready for the next match."

Song was also the low medalist two weeks ago with a 4-under par 68 in Match #3 at Victoria GC in Riverside.

Mt. SAC finished second with a team score of 354, seven shots behind first-place finisher Orange Coast College (347). Cypress was third with a 364. That was followed by Saddleback (382), Riverside City College (390) and Irvine Valley (393).

The Mounties still hold down the top spot in the conference with an overall record of 25-5. Cypress and OCC are tied in second with a 23-7 record, followed by Saddleback (8-22), RCC (7-23) and IVC (4-26).

"Josh played the best any player could have played," Mt. SAC Golf coach Greg Osbourne said. "This is the lowest in recent history."

"I'm also proud of the team. Each player is special because they have come together as a unit."

"Han (Hanseop Lee) played very solid. We are one of the best teams in the state and we need to keep working to prove it."

After his top score two weeks ago, Song came back with the lowest score in an Orange Empire Conference play in the last three years.

Song shot a 33 (4-under) on the first nine holes, which included three birdies and an eagle. He duplicated that with three more birds and another eagle again on last nine holes for a 31 (4-under).

"On the 18th hole I knew I was under par, but didn't know how much I was under," Song said. "I approach it as any other round."

In addition, Songs' teammate Hanseop Lee recorded a 5-under-par 67 for a three-way tie for second in the field of 36 golfers.

Lee had an even par 37 (birdie, 7 pars, bogey) on his first nine holes, but coming back in to the clubhouse he scorched the course with a five-under 30, which included five birdies, three pars and one bogey.

Three other Mounties shot in the 70's – Blake Copeland, 73 (38-35), Julio Ibarra, 74 (38-35) and Chu-Wen (Felix) Tsui, 76 (39-37). Cameron Smith carded an 81 (41-40).

Saddleback College Assistant Athletic Director Jerry Hannula added, "Looks like it was a great day for golf, with one third of the field posting scores below par.  That is a true RED-LETTER day!"

Mt. SAC takes part in the So Cal Regional Preview at Los Serranos Country Club (South) in Chino Hills Monday (4/8) and will host match #5 Wednesday (4/10) at Industry Hills.