May 15, 2002

Men's Golf Team Takes State Title
First California Community College to Have Men's, Women's Golf Teams Win State Titles in Same Academic Year

There could be only one ending to a season that saw the men’s golf team set school records and finish with each player ranked in the top 10 in the Western State Conference ­ a state title. The Cougars did just that, winning their second state title in the past three years by beating College of the Desert 744-746 at the S.C.G.A. Members Course in Murrieta on May 13.

Coach Gary Peterson, who also led the College of the Canyons women’s golf team to its first state title this past November, called his men’s team “arguably the best I’ve ever coached.” Canyons is now the only community college in California that has had both a men and women’s golf team win a state title in the same academic year.

Sophomores Brad Uptgraft (Valencia) and Tommy Barber (Notre Dame) were dominant all year and finished atop the standings as the number 1 and 2 players in the Western State Conference, with 73.5 and 73.7 averages, respectively. The rest of the team followed closely. Jay Montes (Sylmar) finished the regular season with a 74.1 average, Daniel Marsh (Perth, Australia) finished with a 74.4 average, Anthony Harju came next with a 75.2 average and Tommy Mansuwan (El Camino Real) brought up the rear with a 75.6 average.

Barber, Marsh and Mansuwan were also named to the All-State Team.