Manzone fires 69, leading Vaqueros to Pt. Conception title

Manny Manzone fired a 3-under 69 in tough conditions on Sunday to guide SBCC to the championship of the Point Conception Open at La Purisima GC in Lompoc. It was the second straight medalist honor and third of the year for Manzone, a sophomore from Moraga, Calif.

"It was a tough day after all the rain we got overnight," said Chuck Melendez, who's in his 16th season as SBCC's coach. "La Purisima is always one of the most difficult courses we play.

"Manny tied the lowest score on this course that any player has shot for me at SBCC."

Monday's final round was cancelled by the forecast of 80 percent rain and thunderstorms.

The Vaqueros won their third tournament of the year with a 381, edging Ventura by three strokes. Citrus was third at 408.

Andrew Sederlund shot the second-best round for Santa Barbara with a 76 and Jake Ledbetter posted a 77.

"The rain prevented the maintenance crew from mowing the course like they usually do," Melendez noted. "The wind was blowing today, sometimes up to 20 mph."

The Vaqueros will play in the State Championship Preview on Monday, March 14 at Desert Island CC in Rancho Mirage with a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

Pt. Conception Open
At par-72 La Purisima GC
 Team – 1, SBCC 381. 2, Ventura 384. 3, Citrus 408. 4, Hancock 437. 5, Bakersfield 463.
 Medalist – 1, Manny Manzone, SBCC, 69. 2, Kyle Dollison, Ventura, 71. 3, Emil Ozeke, Ventura, 73.
 SBCC scores – Manzone 69, Andrew Sederlund 76, Jake Ledbetter 77, Niels Andersen 79, Michael Nam 80, Tyler Murata 88.