COSTA MESA, CA- The women's golf season is underway as the Saddleback Bobcats have surged to first place in the OEC standings. The Orange Empire Conference has played in three matches this season at Soboba GC, Iron Wood CC, and Costa Mesa CC.

The women's golf season began on September 8^th, when the seven Orange Empire Conference teams traveled to Soboba GC in San Jacinto, CA. The match was headlined by Amber Davalos of Saddleback College who shot a match low, 73. The freshman was one of seven athletes to break 80 on the par-72 course, four of which who were from Saddleback College. Stephanie Tran of Orange Coast was the runner up at Soboba carding an impressive two-over-par.  Mary Damien of Cuyamaca led the way for her college scoring a 77 on the day.

On September 22^nd the OEC played at Iron Wood CC to take on a tricky course in Palm Desert, CA. Meah Collins of OCC and Chelsey Gutierrez of Fullerton led the way with a match low, 76. Nicole Whippie (Saddleback) finished one stroke back of the medalists with a 77. Mary Damian of Cuyamaca continued her excellent play breaking 80 for the second week in a row with a 79. Saddleback College led the teams in scoring (321) while the other six teams finished in the standings identically to the previous match. Mt. San Jacinto saw the biggest improvement in their score as they shaved 40 strokes from the previous week.

Orange Coast College hosted the most recent match at Costa Mesa CC on Monday, September 27^th. Orange Coast gave it their best effort (339) to take down Saddleback (318), but they fell just short. Meah Collins (OCC) shot even par (72) leading all participants by four strokes. Collins has finished as the medalist in back-to-back matches and leads the OEC with an average of 75.3.

 Standings

 UP NEXT: OEC women's golf play will continue on Wednesday, October 6^th at Menifee Lakes CC.

Release by Brett Franchino, Cypress SID