San Marcos Sets Record, Wins Title by 16 Shots

Another year, another high school golf record broken.

Santa Barbara San Marcos set a Southern Section record when it shot a team total 359 to win the section title Thursday at the PGA of Southern California Golf Club in Calimesa.

The one-under-par total is five strokes better than the previous section record set by San Marcos in 1981. Junior Tyler Ley shot five-under 67 to lead the Royals.

This marked the third consecutive year that a prep golf record has been broken. In 1999, Brian Sinay of University set the section individual record of 65. Later that year, Sinay’s teammate Ron Won set the CIF-SCGA individual record with a 66. Santa Margarita’s Steve Conway broke Won’s record last year by shooting 65 and leading the Eagles to a CIF-SCGA team record 357.

Thursday, Palm Desert finished second at 375, Santa Margarita was third with 379 and Servite defeated Huntington Beach in a one-hole playoff to earn the fourth and final berth in the CIF-SCGA finals June 5 at the SCGA Members’ Club.

Servite and Huntington Beach finished regulation tied at 383--a score good enough to win or tie for five of the previous 11 section titles, but not even close Thursday.

The San Marcos victory extends to six the number of consecutive section titles won by the Royals, Palm Desert or Santa Margarita. The last three champions--Palm Desert in 1998, San Marcos in ’99 and Santa Margarita last year--all went on to win the CIF-SCGA title.

“I’ve said it all year that San Marcos is the team to beat,” said Santa Margarita Coach Andy Sulick, whose team lost to San Marcos by two in a regular-season match but was 20 back Thursday.

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Scott Manley, celebrating his 18th birthday, had three birdies and an eagle in leading Santa Margarita with a two-under 70.