COD Men’s Golf Takes Round One Lead at 3C2A State Championship

The College of the Desert men's golf team, hosting its first state championship since 2016 and seeking its first title since 2012, got off to a strong start Sunday by taking the opening-round lead at the 3C2A State Championship in La Quinta.

The championship coincided with an early May heat wave that brought near-record temperatures and some of the hottest conditions of the year so far to the Coachella Valley.

COD finished the opening round with a team score of 288, five strokes ahead of conference rival Victor Valley College. The final round is scheduled for Monday, May 11, with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Top Performers Lead the Charge

Sophomore Sinjin Armstrong (La Quinta High School) led the way for the Roadrunners, shooting a 2-under 70 to tie for third place overall. The round matched his second-best score of the season.

After opening with a bogey on the second hole, Armstrong steadied himself with pars on holes 3 through 6 before catching fire with birdies on 7, 8 and 9 to take over first place at the turn. He added another birdie on 12 and remained composed after a double bogey on 15, responding with pars on 16 and 17 before finishing with a birdie on 18 to close out an impressive round.

Sophomore Linus Rindestad Utter (Handen, Sweden / Fredrika Bremer Gymnasiet) finished tied for 10th after shooting an even-par 72.

Utter overcame a difficult start after a double bogey on the opening hole, bouncing back with a birdie on No. 2 before settling into rhythm. Birdies on 5, 7, 8 and 10 helped keep him near the top of the leaderboard throughout the day. Despite back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12, Utter responded with a birdie on 14 and closed with pars on 17 and 18 to finish even for the round.

Sophomore Mason Montgomery (Palm Desert High School) carded a 1-over 73 to finish tied for 12th.

Montgomery battled back after opening with a double bogey on the first hole and a bogey on the second. He quickly regrouped with birdies on 5, 7, 12, 14 and 18 to stay in contention throughout the round. Despite several momentum swings on the back nine, Montgomery remained poised and finished strong with a birdie on the final hole.

Sophomore Braxton McDonald (Coldstream, British Columbia / Kalamalka Secondary) also shot a 1-over 73, tying for 12th place.

After an opening-hole bogey, McDonald responded with pars on holes 2 through 4 before recording an eagle on No. 5 to ignite his round. Aside from bogeys on 7 and 14, McDonald played steady golf the rest of the way, carding pars on every remaining hole to finish at 1-over.

Sophomore Logan Marra (Palm Desert High School) finished tied for 17th after shooting a 2-over 74.

Freshman Braxten Ziegenbusch (Henry Harriman High School, Utah) rounded out the Roadrunners lineup with a 7-over 79, finishing tied for 37th.

Team Results — 3C2A State Championship (Round One)
1. College of the Desert — 288
2. Victor Valley — 293
3. College of the Canyons — 294
4. Sierra — 297
5. Reedley — 299
6. San Joaquin Delta — 305
7. Ventura — 309
8. Orange Coast — 309
9. Napa — 309

What's Next

The Roadrunners will conclude the 3C2A State Championship on Monday, May 11, at SilverRock Resort.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Dale Beck Photography.