Local golf notebook

While the golf world focuses in on Augusta National Golf Club, things are heating up locally as the end of the season approaches for Monterey County college and high school golf teams.

While the CSU Monterey Bay men's golf team ended its streak of three consecutive tournament titles this week, the Otters still managed a third-place finish in the Western New Mexico University Mustang Intercollegiate at at Palm Valley Golf Club in Arizona. CSUMB's Fredrik Jullum took second place, finishing a shot off the lead at 6-under 210. It was the Jullum's top tourney score of the season, beating a 217 from last month.

"I am happy to see Fredrik up near the lead the entire tournament, as well as Carr (Vernon) and Robby (Salomon) having solid finishes," CSUMB coach Jason Owen said in a statement.

Vernon and Salomon finished tied for 10th place at even par. Proving the depth of the team, six golfers have led the Otters at tournaments this season. CSUMB wraps up the regular season at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational at Turlock Golf and Country Club on April 13-14, before gearing up for the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship the following week.

CSUMB women

The women's golf team at CSUMB wrapped up its regular season this week with a seventh-place finish at the Sonoma State Spring Invitational on Foxtail Golf Club's North Course. Freshman Brianna Areia wasn't able to hang onto her first-round lead at the tourney, but she finished in second place at 7-over 151. Sophomore Katrina Mendez, a Trinity Christian alumna, finished tied for 14th.

The Otters' season may be over if they aren't seeded into the NCAA Regional tournament, because the CCAA doesn't sponsor women's golf so there is no CCAA women's tournament.

MPC men

The men's golf team at Monterey Peninsula College ranks atop the Coast Conference and might be the best junior college team in Northern California.

Will Cross is leading the conference with a 72.8 stoke average, but it was Greg Moreno who led MPC with a 1-under 70 at Rancho Cañada's East Course this week. The Lobos earned the team win by seven shots over West Hills in a Coast Conference match.

MPC competes Monday at Kings River Golf and Country Club in Kingsburg. The NorCal Regionals will be held May 3-4 at Merced County Club.

High school

The two Monterey County boys golf teams to compete in last year's Central Coast Section Championships, Stevenson and Palma, went head-to-head last week and the matchup lived up to the hype.

Stevenson shot 203 to Palma's 207 to earn a close win at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch. The Pirates' Nick Simmons shared medalist honors with Andrew Grogin of the Chieftains at 39.

Rounding out the scoring for Stevenson was Luis Ruiz (40), Sunny Yan (41),  Armand Melendez (41),  Tivon Sadowsky (42) and Nick Rivera (42). Hansi Hell carded a 41 for Palma, followed by Joey Burlison (42), Caleb Cater (42), Jack Burlison (43) and Travis Winn (43). This week, Palma defeated Loyola of Los Angeles 381-386 at Laguna Seca.

Palma and Stevenson get back into league play next week, with the Chieftains hosting a Gabilan Division match at Laguna Seca on Wednesday and the Pirates facing Carmel at Rancho Cañada on Tuesday.

The Mission Trail Athletic League Championship will be held April 30 at Poppy Hills and the Monterey Bay League Championship takes place April 27 at The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch. The CCS Regional tournaments take place May 5-6, with the CCS Championships May 12.