Smith guides Bobcats to -7 finish

The Saddleback men's golf program had the fourth best round in program history with a team total of -7 (353) on Monday at Costa Mesa Golf Club.  Clayton Smith tied a program record with a round of 65 (-7) to lead the Bobcats. 

Saddleback improved to 16-0 in Orange Empire Conference play in winning by 13 strokes over host Orange Coast College.  It was the lowest team total since shooting 352 last season at Temecula Creek Golf Club at the Orange Empire Conference championships. 

Smith tied a program record with a -7 round of 65.  He shot -4 (31) on the back nine after making two eagles and shooting 34 on the front nine.  Smith's total of 65 ties Zach Stout from the 2022 squad and Robbie Berton (2007) as the lowest individual total (to par) in program history.   Berton had the lowest score in program history when he shot 64 at Costa Mesa when the par was 71.  

Smith wasn't alone in having a great round as Arthur Hess shot -3 (69) to finish second in medalist play.  Hess was -5 heading into the final two holes before finishing with a pair of bogies. 

Saddleback's team score was rounded out by Declan Lane (72), Carson Adams (73) and Aidan Valdez (74). 

Saddleback's score of -7 was four shots back of the lowest round (to-par) ever recorded in program history when it shot -11 at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in 2002.  Saddleback also shot -8 in both 1999 (Costa Mesa) and 2022 (Temecula Creek). 

Saddleback will play again next Wednesday at Los Serranos Golf Club in Chino Hills.

TEAM SCORES: