Stags clinch SCIAC Title, earn automatic qualification
CHINO HILLS, Calif. – The usually quiet Los Serranos Country Club became a site of excitement and celebration as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's golf team won its 12th Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title, punching its ticket to the NCAA Championship. Before coming into the SCIAC Championship, the Stags found themselves behind La Verne by eight strokes, 1192 to 1184. After taking a four stroke lead after an impressive 291-stroke performance in the second round of the SCIAC Championship, the Stags improved by 10 strokes in the final day to pull away with the title. Four CMS golfers finished below par in the final round, while the round two leaders, juniors Jonathan Shaw (CMC) and Johnny Brandt (CMC), finished with a 72 and 75, respectively. CMS finished the conference season with 2063 strokes. On the other hand, La Verne struggled to improve from its second day performance, shooting 295 in the final day to finish the season at 2073.
"I think we all knew that we had the talent to come back and we were just putting it together," said Shaw. "Looking back at the SCIACs last year, we put together 14-under in the last day. Just knowing that we had the firepower and we have done it before calmed a lot of us down. I think while I was on the 14th, I heard everyone on our team was two-under. I think that's a testament to the experience we had last year and being able to piece it together again."
Shaw concluded his SCIAC Championship run by sharing the individual title with Nate Gray from Cal Lutheran University. Gray had 69 strokes in the final round, 213 overall, before taking on the No. 18 hole (Par-5, 592 yards), while Shaw held a one-stroke lead over Gray in the round and overall scoring. After landing his ball on the green in two strokes, Gray landed an incredible eagle-putt to take the lead. However, following three strokes to the green, Shaw matched Gray with a birdie putt from distance to tie for first place.
"All I was thinking at this 18th green was that the last three times I played on it in a tournament, I birdied it," said Shaw. "I knew it was doable. I was zoned in, I visualized it and I saw the putt go in."
Sophomore Alex Wrenn (CMC) played his best round yet, finishing with a 70 thanks to an eagle in the No. 2 hole and going 36-even on the back nine. The ever-consistent junior Matt Shuman (CMC) also had his best round, matching Wrenn with a 70. After finishing the first half in 36 strokes, Shuman proceeded to putt a birdie in the No. 11, 12, 14, and 18, but had a bogey on the 15 and 16.
Freshman Harrison Brenner (CMC) also completed his final round in 70 strokes, earning a birdie on the first and fifth hole. He went on to finish the back-nine in 36 strokes. His classmate Austin Long (CMC) improved from his second round performance by seven strokes, finishing the day with 71. After finish the first half at 36-even, Long went on to putt a birdie on the no. 13 before proceeding to finish the final five holes with a par to close out his round.
The Stags will be preparing themselves before the NCAA Championships on Tuesday, May 16 at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida in their pursuit for their second national title.
By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant
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