(Ventura, CA) The Mt. SAC Men's Golf team might have ended its season at the CCCAA Southern California Championships with a seventh-place finish, but the Mounties' Ethan Thomas will be moving on to the state championships as an individual.

The freshman golfer had a good day at the Olivas Links Golf Course in Ventura, Monday (May 9), carding a 146 (75-71). He was one of six golfers to qualify as individuals for the state championships on Monday (May 16) to be held at Soboba Springs Country Club in San Jacinto.

Thomas' score of 146 was the second-best qualifying score for individuals. The top individual was former Mt. SAC sophomore golfer, John Dearth, of Citrus College, who shot a 144.

"I'm extremely proud of Ethan (Thomas) of what he's accomplished this year," Mt. SAC Men's Golf Coach Greg Osbourne said. "His back was to the wall and he had to grind it out.

"His short game was fantastic and he was getting up and down all day. He is without a doubt our best player."

Thomas, who was named to the All-OEC team, joins former Mountie Dylan Stone who played in both the 2017 and '18 state championships.

Thomas had a Par on the 13th hole and his game took a positive turn on the next hole.

The turning point for Thomas came after he posted an Eagle on the Par 5 14th hole.

The final four holes for Thomas were Pars on the 15th, 17th and 18th, with a bogey on the 16th.

"It was unbelievable," Osbourne said. "Everyone was shocked. It hit the flag and in the hole. That turned everything around."

He went from four over to two over Par.

The low medalist of the championships was Hugo Amsallem of College of the Canyons.

Cypress (733) was the winning team for the So Cal's, followed by Saddleback (733), Canyons (734) and Ventura (742). All four teams advanced to the state championships.

Mt. SAC finished seventh with a team score of 744.

Other scores on the team were: Felix Tsui, 152 (76-76), Trevor Ruiz, 157 (76-81), Aaron Fekin, 158 (76-82), Mark McCabe, 161 (79-82) and Brandon Winters, 167 (80-87).

Highlighting the season for the Mounties was a third-place finish at Soboba Springs early in the season. That was followed up with three seconds and three thirds in conference play.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.