Chang fires 6-under 66 in season opener

SBCC sophomore Carolin Chang recorded seven birdies and a bogey Sunday on the way to a career-best 66 in the opening round of the South Coast Classic women's golf tournament at Olivas Links GC in Ventura.

Chang, who won the CCCAA individual state title last year, holds a seven-shot lead over teammate Vanessa Watkins, a freshman from Arroyo Grande who shot a career-low 73 in windy conditions.

The defending state champion Vaqueros totaled 308 and they're 16 shots ahead of Sierra (324) and 37 clear of Reedley (345), which took third in the state last year.

That was a really great round by Carolin, she's a fabulous player," said SBCC coach Chuck Melendez. "That's the lowest round I've ever seen in my 17 years here. And I think she can go even lower this year."

The Vaqueros will play the final round of the 12-team South Coast Classic on Monday morning at Buenaventura GC. They'll also compete in the first WSC match.

South Coast Classic
First round
At par-72 Olivas Links, Ventura
 Team – 1, SBCC 308. 2, Sierra 324. 3, Reedley 345. 4, Mt. SAC 372. 5, Irvine Valley 385. 6, Citrus 387. 7, Desert 388. 8, Antelope Valley 422. No score: Bakersfield, Canyons, Glendale, Moorpark.
 Medalist – Carolin Chang, SBCC, 66. 2, Vanessa Watkins, SBCC, 73.
 SBCC scores -- 1, Chang 66. 2, Watkins 73. Savanah Boss 83, Danielle Picard 86, Daniela Ruffo 88.