(Walnut, CA) Six Mt. SAC student/athletes will represent the Mounties for the 2019 season, which began with the South Coast Classic in Ventura, August 25, 26 at the Olivas Links and Buena Ventura Golf Courses.

In addition to the Classic, the Mounties will play in two more tournaments - Desert Classic in Palm Springs (Aug. 30-31) and the North/South Invitational in Morro Bay (Sept. 22-23).

Mt. SAC, which competes in the Orange Empire Conference, added three additional teams this season. Four of the five teams (Mt. SAC, Fullerton, Saddleback and Orange Coast) from the 2018 season will return. Irvine Valley will not field a team this season.

However, four new teams will make up the eight-team OEC - Cuyamaca, Palomar, College of the Desert and Mt. San Jacinto.

The top three teams in conference will advance to the CCCAA Southern California Regionals in mid-November, hosted by Mt. SAC at Royal Vista Golf Club.

"We are so excited to get the season started," said fifth-year head coach Greg Osbourne, who is also a PGA member.

After the first two tournaments of the season, Mt. SAC will begin conference action. Each of the eight teams will host a match.

Mt. SAC is hosting four events this season, starting with starting OEC Match #7 in early October at Los Serranos CC in Chino Hills (Oct. 14). That is followed by the So Cal Preview at L.A. Royal Vista GC in Walnut (Oct. 14), OEC Match #9 at Via Verde CC in San Dimas (Oct. 23) and finally the So Cal Regionals at L.A. Royal Vista (Nov. 11-12).

The CCCAA State Championships return to Morro Bay Nov. 17-18.

The team has changed its practice course to Via Verde Country Club this year practicing.

"Via Verde has been absolutely accommodating and is such a wonderful golf course for us," Osbourne said.

2019 Players -

Cristina Liu, who is looking to transfer to a four-year university or college next season, was named to the second team in the OEC last season and for the second year has been named team captain.

"Returning as a sophomore, I'm looking forward to leading my team through past experience and giving my insights to success for the upcoming season," Liu said. "I'm the only returning player, but the five new freshmen, which I have full support and guidance for, are strong willed and I know will focus and get the job done. I know we will work together and strive to get better."

"I'm also fortunate to have Coach Greg by my side to finish strong. His encouragement and positivity has and will always help me. Go Mounties."

Liu is a 4.0 scholar/athlete for the Mounties and helped the 2018 team score points for the scholar/athlete program, which captured its seventh consecutive NATYCAA Cup.

The 2018 Mountie women advanced to the So Cal championships for the second time in the last four seasons under Osbourne.

The five remaining teammates are all freshmen.

Precious Saelee, from Walnut H.S., is an Electrical Engineer major, and will transfer to a four-year college.

Katherine Chan, from Arcadia H.S., was a captain in her senior year. "Katherine has DI skills," Osbourne said.

Lisa Romero, Wilson (Hacienda Heights) was the No. 1 player for the Wildcats.

Malaysia Thompson, Cajon H.S., "she hits the ball a mile," Osbourne added.

Kima Blake, Riverside Stem Academy - Kima is also a Black Belt in Shorin Ryu and weaponry in Filipino Martial Arts and Jiu Jitsu.

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