By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

College of the Canyons opened Western State Conference (WSC) play with a 30-stroke victory at Valencia Country Club on Monday, as four Cougars finished in the top three spots including medalist Hugo Amsallem who fired an even-par round of 72. 

Canyons carded a five-player score of 385 behind the lineup of Amsallem, Leo Cheng, Magnus Hansen, Braden Threlkeld, Dom De Luca and Kieran Bye. The Cougars were playing from the blue tees under clear skies and a mild breeze.

Santa Barbara City College was second at 415 followed by Glendale College in third place at 422.

Ventura (424), Allan Hancock (426), Bakersfield (434), Citrus (439) and Antelope Valley College (464) were next in the field of eight schools.

Steen Zeman of Ventura was second among individuals with a round of 73.

The Cougars then saw a trio of its own finish tied for the tourney's third-place spot with Cheng, Hansen and Threlkeld each taking scores of 77 to the clubhouse. Jack Wallenkamp of Allan Hancock also finished at 77.

Amsallem has now fired three consecutive rounds in the 70s (76/75/72) to begin the season. Same for Hansen (76/75/77) who also tied for third at last week's season-opening Pt. Conception Open in Lompoc. 

De Luca was the final Cougar to score at 82, tying for 12th in the individual standings. Kieran Bye had his score of 83 scratched from the final tally but finished 15th in the field.

COC continues conference play at the WSC event hosted by Ventura College on Monday, Feb, 14 at River Ridge Golf Course in Oxnard. Tee time is scheduled for 10 a.m.

TEAM SCORES (FINAL)
1. Canyons (385) 2. SBCC (415) 3. Glendale (423) 4. Ventura (424) 5. Allan Hancock (426) 6. Bakersfield (434) 7. Citrus (439) 8. Antelope Valley (464).

CANYONS INDIVIDUAL SCORES 
Hugo Amsallem (72-medalist); Leo Cheng (77 T-third); Magnus Hansen (77 T-third); Braden Threlkeld (77 T-third); Dom De Luca (82 T-12th); Kieran Bye (83 T-15th).

FIELD INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS (TOP-15)
1. 72 – Hugo Amsallem (COC)
2. 73 – Steen Zeman (VC)
3. 77 – Leo Cheng (COC); Magnus Hansen (COC); Braden Threlkeld (COC); Jack Wellenkamp (AHC)
7. 78 – Gabe Marmon (SBCC)
8. 79 – Parker Jones (AHC)
9. 80 – Caleb Rodriguez (SBCC)
10. 81 – John Dearth (Citrus); Blake Keesey (BC)
12. 82 – Dom De Luca (COC); Zack Garboski (VC); Nathanial Frink (GCC)
15. 83 – Kieran Bye (COC); Josh Kim (GCC)

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