Joey Herrera started where he left off. The VC sophomore golfer finished in the individual runner-up spot at the CCCAA State Championships a year ago, and Sunday and Monday he fired a 1-over 73-72--145 to claim medalist honors at the season-opening Pt. Conception Open at the La Purisma Golf Club in Lompoc. As a team, Ventura came in third place in the 14-team field with a 401-380--781, behind Canyons (768) and Cypress (772), and ahead of Desert (784) and Santa Barbara (785).
The Pirates had a tough day for the opening round Sunday, posting a 401 team score, good for seventh place, but turned things around Monday, coming in second on the day at 380, good for the third place team finish.
Sophomore Denis Kakimoto played well, carding a 78-76--154, which was good for a tie for ninth place overall.
Other VC scores included: Connor Philpott (79-80--159), Aaron Friedland (86-75--161), Jonathon Ortiz (85-77--162) and Adam Franc (87-91--178).
Pt. Conception Open
At par-72 La Purisima GC
Final scores
Team -- 1. Canyons (375-368--743) 2. Cypress (383-389--772) 3. VENTURA (401-380--781) 4. Desert (394-390--784) 5. Santa Barbara (390-395--785) 6. Palomar (394-396--790) 7. Mt. San Jacinto (386-408--794) 8. Monterey Peninsula (408-397--805) 9. Mt. San Antonio (409-402--811) 10. Taft (421-405--826) 11. Allan Hancock (421-423--844) 12. Irvine Valley (422-426--848) 13. Bakersfield (431-427--858) 14. Glendale (437-DQ)
Medalist (par 72) -- 1. Joey Herrera, Ventura (73-72--145) 2 (tie). Kieran Blundell, Mt. San Jacinto (70-76--146); Jones Comerford, Canyons (73-73--146) 4. Michael Lindgren, Canyons (74-73--147)
