Sophomore Matthew Thomas saved his best for last, shooting a 2-under par 67-75, 142 to qualify for the CCCAA State Golf Championships next week at Kings River Country Club in Fresno County. As a team, VC posted a 379-388, 767 to place eighth at the SoCal Regionals at Olivas Links Golf Course Monday.
Thomas has been Ventura's most consistent golfer all season, but only posted the team's low score in three of 16 rounds before Monday, the last time on February 23 in Bakersfield. He broke through with a 5-under 67 in the morning round, the best score by a Pirate golfer all season by four strokes. In the afternoon, the ocean winds picked up, making scoring more difficult. Thomas still was able to post VC's low round of the afternoon with a 3-over 75.
As a team, Ventura came in eighth. Western State Conference foes Canyons (346-364, 710) and Santa Barbara (365-358, 723) came in first and second, qualifying for the State Championships. Desert (356-369, 725) came in third and Riverside (366-367, 733) was fourth, also qualifying for the final event of the season.
Other Ventrua College scores included Emil Ozeke (76-80, 156), Alex Hood (77-80, 157), Greg Brown (77-81, 158), Remy Smaby (82-76, 158), and Patrick Holden (84-77, 161).
Thomas will tee off at the State Championships on Monday May 11. The 36-hole event will be held at Kings River Country Club in Kingsburg, outside of Fresno.