CMS Men's Golf Wins Season-Opening Tournament, Austin Long Captures Individual Title

VENTURA, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's golf team, ranked No. 6 in the GolfWeek preseason national poll, opened up its 2018-19 season by winning the Cal State Intercollegiate by 19 strokes with a two-day total of 563 (-13).

The Stags shot a 2-under 286 as a team in Tuesday's round, after shooting 11-under on Monday. The 286 was enough to add three shots onto its final spread after coming into the final round with an 11-shot lead, as CMS finished well ahead of Texas-Tyler (577) in second and host Cal Lutheran and Chapman in a tie for third with 582. They were followed closely by George Fox (583) and Master's College (584) in fourth and fifth. 

Junior Austin Long was the individual medalist after shooting a 68 for the second day in a row to finish the tournament with a 136 (-8), earning birdies on the final two holes to secure the inidiviudal title by two strokes (he also eagled the 18th on the first day to finish -4). Sophomore Ken Kong followed behind in a tie for third with a two-day 140 after shooting an even-par 72 on Tuesday. Freshman Alex Yun shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday as well, while freshman Rishi Bhat also earned his way into the top four scorers for the Stags with a 74. Sophomore Mason Chiu was the fifth-place Stag with a 76. 

"I couldn't be more pleased for an opening tournament," said Head Coach Bim Jollymour. "To play your first tournament of the year under par and to finish 19 shots ahead of the field says a lot about what this team is capable of this season."

The Stags will next be in action on Oct. 7-9 when they conclude their fall schedule at the Embry-Riddle Invitational in Prescott, Arizona at Antelope Hills Golf Club.