GCC takes event title
If the Glendale Community College men’s golf team was looking for a turning point in its season, it might have come Monday.
Behind big performances from Mathias Dahl and Nick Quintanilla, Glendale college carded a 360 to win an 18-team neutral site match at Glendora Country Club.
Dahl, a freshman, carded a two-under-par 69. Quintanilla, a sophomore, fired a 70.
The Vaqueros, who advanced to the state tournament last season for the first time in the program history, have spent most of the first half of the season struggling, finishing fourth in several Western state Conference matches. But the group turned around its fortunes Monday while competing against teams from their own conference, in addition to the Foothill and Orange/Empire conferences.
“Absolutely; it can be a turning point,” said Glendale Coach Greg Osbourne, whose team topped rival College of the Canyons by nine strokes Monday. “To win something like this tournament is great for us because it can only help us the rest of the way.
“We came here and had a couple of practice rounds and things came together [Monday]. We’ve worked at turning things around, and the hard work is starting to pay off.”
Glendale got a 72 from Michael Timpson, a 74 from Richie Maloof and a 75 from Clayton Ojeda. Austin Kaiser of Allan Hancock and Canyons’ Luke Kristo each shot 67s to share medalist honors.
Santa Barbara City College finished third with a 370, followed by College of the Desert (372) and Orange Coast Community College (378).
Dahl said hitting several approach shots on to the greens helped pave the way for one of his best outings of the seasons.
“I got my shots there and I thought I played well enough,” Dahl said. “I felt like I could have made a few more putts, but I hit the ball too well to complain.
“I think something like this can only boost our confidence. It will bring the guys up.”
Osbourne said Quintanilla bounced back after some subpar performances earlier in the year.
“We know guys like Dahl and Timpson will do well,” Osbourne said. “Nick has had some terrible rounds when we needed him.
Now, he’s starting to come back. When you put your mind to it, it shows what you can do.”
Glendale will next compete in a conference match Monday at Saticoy Country Club.
