SOUTHERN SECTION TEAM GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP : A Moving Experience for 3 County Qualifiers

On a day the earth moved and three-time defending champion Estancia almost moved into last place, Orange County teams were still able to make a strong showing at the Southern Section team golf championship Monday at Canyon Country Club.

Although the team from nearby Palm Desert High won the title, county teams--Huntington Beach, Santa Margarita and Trabuco Hills--took the next three places and the remaining spots in the CIF Southern Regional Championship at San Diego Country Club on June 8 in Chula Vista.

An aftershock from last month’s Desert Hot Springs earthquake hit when Monday’s competition was less than an hour old. Players said the aftershock, which measured 4.8 on the Richter scale, sounded like a jet plane was taking off across the Coachella Valley. Pool water in the back yards of the pricey fairway homes sloshed and windows rattled, but no damage was apparent.

It was not a good day for Estancia. The Eagles, who finished fourth in 1988 before winning the past three titles, shot 419, finishing in 14th and second-to-last place. No Estancia player shot better than 81 on the par-72 course.

Huntington Beach had much better luck with three players below 80, including Scott Gibson, who had the tournament’s low round of one-under 71. Gibson, a senior who will play at Tulsa next season, had the day’s only below-par round. Jeff Farley and Mike Hobson each added 75s and the Oilers totaled 382, three strokes behind Palm Desert.

“The most satisfying part is we are still improving,” Huntington Beach Coach Bill Seckington said. “We haven’t peaked yet.”

Santa Margarita, which totaled 385 for third place, was among the more consistent teams, with four players in the 70s. Jason Hewitt shot 74, Ted Cordova and Richard Brown had 76s and Mike Omel 79.

Trabuco Hills, totaling 386 to finish fourth, showed its depth. Mark Christensen shot 72, the second-lowest score of the day, Zachary Allen shot 73, Mark Mignone 76 and Jason Brown 78. But Trabuco Hills’ last two players--Roger Micone and Justin Grandy--each shot 87, which hindered the Mustangs’ chances of winning the sectional title.

Mignone predicted better things for the Mustangs at the CIF Southern Regional in June.

“It’s guaranteed,” he said. “We’re all pumped up. We’ve never been able to put it all together, but I think we are going to next time and win it . . . or really come close.”