The Warriors were at a crossroads and needed something to happen. With College of the Desert and Long Beach posting lower scores, it was now time for EC to strike.
Strike they did. Ryan Saldana, freshman, addressed the tee during his 9-hole stretch and hammered home a two under-par from a difficult 125 yards out.
Tough holes weren’t the only things the Warriors battled with in their tournament at Chino Creek golf course however. Strong winds coupled with cold temperatures made it difficult for the Warriors to hit full stride in the back nine. And to make things worse they were also missing Robert Handy, sophomore, and Selvin Brown, freshman.
Despite the forces acting against them, Saldana’s eagle on the 17th hole helped keep EC on track for third place against Mt. SAC last Monday. Saldana shot a one-under-par 71, ranking him second individually in the tournament.
Dustin Tygret, freshman, known for shooting exceptionally well last week in their win at Soboba Springs, eased his putter only five inches out to secure the seventh hole after nearly sinking a hole-in-one. Finishing the day shooting 76, he was not the only EC golfer able to finish strong.
Tobias Klingede, sophomore, showed his resilient spirit by rebounding from a triple bogey late on the 11th hole, sinking three consecutive birdies.
“I just focused on the wrong things during the hole from the beginning,” Klingede said. “I lost focus.”
He and Evan Echeverri, sophomore, would end the day posting 78s.
EC is currently ranked 17th in Southern California with an average score of 405 in three Foothill Conference matches. The Warriors will be heading out to Murrieta next for a neutral match in hopes of getting back to the top of the standings sheet.
Klingede went on to reassure the caliber of his teammates.
“I know we can do better next time, and to be honest, we have the most consistent, better yet, the best team in the league, and we are going to take this all the way.”