Seven years, seven conference crowns, one dynasty.
The University of La Verne golf squad continued its reign atop the SCIAC Conference by capturing its seventh consecutive league title, recording a third round of 285 to finish with a three round team total of 867 to win the 54 Hole SCIAC Championships Monday at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont.
La Verne entered the day with a seven shot lead for the tournament and a 10 shot advantage over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the cumulative conference standings. The Leopards closed out strong on Monday by posting the lowest team total of the day in their final round.
Leading the Stags by seven strokes entering the final round, the Leos eventually doubled their tournament margin, ending with a 14-stroke victory margin for the championships with the Stags finishing second at 881 followed by Redlands (891) and Cal Lutheran (893) to round out the top four team positions.
The Leopards had three golfers place among the top four for the tournament, led by the duo of Derek Zachman and Keven Holliday, who finished in a tie for second at 215 (-1) behind Brad Shigezawa of CMS (212). Kelby Scharmann helped bolster the Leopards by placing in a tie for fourth with an even par 216 for the tournament. Paul Gomez contributed with a three round total of 225.
Holliday posted the second lowest score on Monday, carding a 69 to tie for second with Zachman, who shot 70 for his final round.
By virtue of claiming yet another SCIAC crown, La Verne – ranked eighth in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll – receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Golf Championships, held May 14-17 in Destin, Florida.
SCIAC Tournament - Final Team Standings
La Verne 867 (286-296-285)
CMS 881 (288-301-292)
Redlands 891 (303-295-293)
CLU 893 (301-300-292)
Chapman 905 (298-300-307)
Occidental 948 (320-316-312)
Whittier 962 (318-322-322)
Pomona-Pitzer 971 (338-322-311)
