Gomersall captures Point Conception title; Vaqueros are fourth

Preston Gomersall of SBCC claimed his first collegiate golf title on Monday, shooting 79 for a three-stroke victory in the Point Conception Open at La Purisima GC in Lompoc.

The winds grew stronger for the second nine holes, reaching 15 to 20 mph and driving scores into the high 70s and 80s.

Gomersall, a sophomore from Santa Barbara High, completed the two-day, 36-hole tourney at 6-over 150. Mason Teron of Ventura was second (74-79--153), one stroke ahead of four players who tied for third at 154.

SBCC freshman Isaac Stone tied for 12th at 157 after rounds of 79 and 78.

Reedley topped the 20-team field, the largest in tournament history, with rounds of 378 and 403 for a 781 total. The Tigers were 12 shots better than Cypress and Mt. SAC, who both finished at 793. Cypress, which turned in Monday's low score (398), took second based on the sixth-man tiebreaker.

SBCC had the second-best score on Monday, shooting 399 to finish in fourth in their season-opening tournament at 801. Irvine Valley (804) was fifth and Palomar (819) placed sixth.

"It was much windier today, it really picked up about halfway through the round," said Vaquero coach Chuck Melendez. "I'm very proud of Preston and how our team played today. Isaac was 2-under through nine holes but as the wind got tougher, things started unraveling for a lot of players.

"We had a big improvement from the first round. We have a long ways to go but I know we're going to shoot lower and lower as the year goes on."

The Vaqueros will compete in WSC No. 1 on Monday at Valencia CC with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.

Pt. Conception Open
At par-72 La Purisima GC
Final scores
 Team -- 1, Reedley 378-403--781. 2, Cypress 395-398--793. 3, Mt. SAC 394-399--793. 4, SBCC 402-399--801. 5, Irvine Valley 396-408--804. 6, Ventura 395-419--814. 7, Palomar 401-418--819. 8, Saddleback 416-411--827. 9, Mt. San Jacinto 420-411--831. 10, Monterey Peninsula 425-417--842. 11, Napa Valley 424-429--853. 12, Bakersfield 434-423--857. 13, Modesto 422-443--865. 14, Desert 454-426--880. 15, Antelope Valley 452-437--889. 16, Hancock 465-459--924. 17, Citrus 464-476--940. 18, Victor Valley 486-487--973. 19, Glendale 436-NS. 20, Taft, no score.
 Medalist -- 1, Preston Gomersall, SBCC, 71-79--150. 2, Mason Teron, Ventura, 74-79--153. 3 (tie), Justin Kim, Reedley, 73-81--154; Brandon Michaels, Palomar, 74-80--154; Luke Bartram, Cypress, 76-78--154; Matt Wotherspoon, Cypress, 78-76--154.
 SBCC scores -- 1, Gomersall 71-79--150. 12 (tie), Isaac Stone 79-78--157. Igor Haenel 83-81--164, Blake Bornand 81-84--165, Preston Foy 88-80--168, Matt Pate 91-81--172.
 SBCC record -- 14-3.