Women’s golf: OCC advances to conference championship

CYPRESS - After 10 Orange Empire Conference matchups, Orange Coast

College women’s golf team remains the team to beat following Wednesday’s

10-stroke win at the U.S. Navy Golf Course, par 72.

Jennifer Tunzi was runner-up in the event, finishing with an

11-over-par 83 for the Pirates, who have either won or tied all 10 OEC

matchups this season.

“We’re actually unbeaten all time in OEC competition,” Coach Gordie

Fitzel said. “We were undefeated last year and the conference has been in

existence for only two years.”

With no Pirate golfer finishing lower than 13th place, Fitzel’s crew

relied on its depth all season long.

“We’ve used our depth to our advantage all year long,” Fitzel said.

“If one player plays bad, we’ve always had another player pick up the

slack. But lately, everyone’s been playing well, so it makes for a fun

atmosphere.”

The OEC Championships are Wednesday, Oct. 27 and Monday, Nov. 1 at 10

a.m. at Los Seranos Golf Course’s North Course.

The top two teams advance to the Southern California Regional

Tournament Nov. 7-8 at Menifee Lakes Country Club.

“A 36-hole format should work to our advantage,” Fitzel said. “In an

18-hole tournament, anyone can pull out a win, but with a 36-hole layout,

our depth should really help us out a lot.”

ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Orange Coast 359, Saddleback 369, Fullerton 378, Cypress 385, Irvine

Valley 415. At Navy Golf Course, par 72.

OCC: Tunzi 83, Shaft 86, Cheng 95, Hille 95, Quaranta 95, Pernesz 96.