(Walnut, CA) On Sunday August 26 the Mountie Women's Golf Team marked the beginning of the 2018 Mt. SAC fall sports calendar competing in the two-day South Coast Classic in Ventura. The classic took place at the Olivas Links Golf Course where eight teams competed. The event was the beginning of six tournaments this season for the Mountie women. The top two teams in the tournament were College of the Canyons and Sierra College.
The Mounties finished fifth as a team, however, individually had two golfers in the 70's on the second day of competition.
Sophomore Mackenzie Kelly carded a 75, good for a tie for ninth out of 48 entrants on the par 70 course. Kelly shot a career-best 74 in competition at last years' tournament.
Kelly will be counted on to lead the team this upcoming season. She represented the Mounties last year at the CCCAA State Championships and finished 19th out of 58 golfers from 18 colleges.
"It was a different atmosphere (at state) but meant a lot to be there representing Mt. SAC," Kelly said. "I only wish our team could have been there."
Cristina Liu, a freshman, shot a 79.
Both golfers are part of the six-member team for fourth-year golf coach Greg Osbourne.
Osbourne, a PGA member, had high praise for his team this year.
"This is by far the best camaraderie that I've seen in my four years here at Mt. SAC," Osbourne said. "It is just a great group of women."
The four remaining Mountie golfers are also freshmen. They are: Brianna Rojo, Julyssa Mendiola, Andrea Villarino-Uribe and Yen Hsu.
Liu, in high school at Mark Keppel, was part of two CIF-SS teams in her junior and senior years.
Rojo, who attended West Covina high and was team captain, competed in CIF-SS three out of her four years as an individual. She turned down offers from other colleges to attend Mt. SAC.
"She is an absolute surprise for us," Osbourne said.
Mendiola, who was a teammate of Rojo's at West Covina, is a 4.0 student and qualified for CIF in her junior year.
Villarino-Uribe, a graduate of Rancho Mirage in Palm Desert, "…..is a tremendous asset to our team," Osbourne added.
Hsu, a native of Taiwan, was discovered in Osbourne's golf class and has played golf for 16 years. She is a retired customs agent official and has a Masters in Fine Arts.
"They are improving every day and I'm looking forward to a great season," said Osbourne.
Osbourne recently completed his Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration (MCAA) at Concordia University in Irvine.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
