Victorville, Calif. – The 2026 season wasn't an easy road for the Mt. SAC Men's Golf Team, but it captured the grit and growth of a group that refused to back down. At the Orange Empire Conference Championships, the Mounties battled through two high-stakes rounds and came within striking distance of a regional playoff spot, ultimately finishing seventh overall in conference play with a 25-45 record.

The championship format left no room for error, with teams grinding through two full rounds in a single, demanding day.

Mt. SAC did well in the opening round, putting together one of their strongest performances of the season. The Mounties posted a 309 team score to claim third place, sitting just behind Riverside City College (306) and host Victor Valley College (301).

Hayden Beltran led the way with a 75, followed closely by Jonathan Melton's 76 and Aaron Kusnowo's 78, while James Bergman rounded out the scoring with an 80.

That strong start set the stage for a dramatic push toward regionals. With every stroke carrying weight, the Mounties found themselves right in the mix. "We are two points away from making regionals as the fifth-place team," head coach Art Guevara said. "We are battling with Cuyamaca and Orange Coast College."

But as the second round unfolded, the competition surged.

As the final holes approached, the stakes only intensified. "We have nine more holes and it will come down to the last hole," Guevara added. "We need a third-place finish or better to make it."

Mt. SAC matched its first-round score with another 309, a testament to their consistency, yet it wasn't enough as other teams made their move. College of the Desert delivered a standout 293, Victor Valley followed with a 300, and Riverside City posted a 305, pushing the Mounties into fifth place for the round and out of contention for a team regional spot.

Still, the day was far from without highlights. Aaron Duran had an incredible bounce-back performance, rebounding from an opening-round 87 to fire a team-best 73 (+2) in the second round.

Kusnowo remained steady with another 78, and Melton added a 78 of his own to anchor the lineup.

While Beltran, typically the top contributor, carded an 80 in the second round—his highest score of the season—the Mounties remained within reach until the final stretch.

Over the course of the season, Mt. SAC showed clear improvement, closing the gap with conference opponents like Cuyamaca (26-44) and Orange Coast College (27-43), who edged ahead in the standings to secure a regional team spot. Though the Mounties fell just short as a team, their effort at the championships reflected a group that continued to compete, improve, and push the margin.

Individually, the season will continue for two Mounties. Hayden Beltran and Jonathan Melton both qualified for the SoCal Regionals at Olivas Links on May 4 with adjusted averages of 75.3 and 77.9, respectively. Beltran's strong play also earned him All-Orange Empire Conference honors, recognizing his consistency and leadership throughout the year.

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