‘Eaters own Big West

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA — The UC Irvine men’s and women’s golf teams successfully defended their titles in winning the Big West Conference Championships that concluded Tuesday at Tijeras Creek Golf Club.

The UCI men, with a 1-2-3 individual finish, won for the second straight year with a 54-hole total of 15-under-par 849. New conference member UC Davis was runner-up at 855 and Cal State Northridge finished third at 873.

UCI sophomore John Chin shot a four-under-par 68 Tuesday to claim medalist honors with a nine-under total of 207 as he was named the Big West Player of the Year. The win was Chin’s first as a collegiate player.

UCI junior Sean Shahi shot an even-par 72 in the final round to finish second at 210. Anteaters junior Tim Cha, with a 68 in the last round, tied for third with UC Davis’ Nate Pistacchio at 211. Shahi and Cha were named to the All-Big West first team.

Senior Kenny Kim shot a two-under 70 Tuesday to finish 18th at 221 and he was selected to the All-Big West honorable mention squad. UCI senior Derek Uyesaka, with an 80, placed 40th at 241.

UCI’s Paul Smolinski was named the Big West Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his 10 seasons with the Anteaters.

The UCI women’s team won its fourth consecutive conference title and the fifth in its seven-year existence with a three-round total of 312. UC Davis finished second at 915 and Cal State Northridge placed third at 938.

UCI senior Kim Lorenzana won the individual title, her first collegiate victory, with a par on the third playoff hole to defeat Chelsea Stelzmiller of UC Davis. Both finished 54 holes with six-over totals of 222. Lorenzana shot a 72 in Tuesday’s final round.

UCI senior Selaneé Henderson finished third at 225 after a 74 in the final round. She and Lorenzana were named to the All-Big West first team.

Sophomore Patty Chawalitmetha placed fourth at 227 after shooting 79 Tuesday and was named to the All-Big West second team for the Anteaters. UCI freshman Hillary Packard, with an 81, finished 20th at 239 while sophomore Mariko Makabe shot a 76 to place 24th at 245.

Julie Brooks of UCI was named Big West Coach of the Year for the second straight year.

With the conference titles, both UCI teams automatically advance to the NCAA regionals, most likely in the West. Women’s competition is May 8-10, while the men compete May 15-17.

— From staff reports