Sat July 05, 2008
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UC Irvine Wins Second Straight Big West TitleApril 22, 2008
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. --- UC Irvine successfully defended its title in winning the Big West Conference Championship that concluded Tuesday at Tijeras Creek Golf Club. The Anteaters, with a 1-2-3 individual finish, won for the second straight year with a 54-hole total of 15-under-par 849. New conference member UC Davis was runner-up at 855 and Cal State Northridge finished third at 873. UCI sophomore John Chin shot a 4-under 68 Tuesday to claim medalist honors with a 9-under total of 207 as he was named the Big West Player of the Year. The win was Chin's first as a collegiate player. He became UCI's first individual conference champion since Mike Lavery in 2003. Junior Sean Shahi shot an even-par 72 in the final round to finish second at 210. Junior Tim Cha, with a 68 in the last round, tied for third with UC Davis' Nate Pistacchio at 211. Shahi and Cha were named to the All-Big West first team. Senior Kenny Kim shot a 2-under 70 Tuesday to finish 18th at 221 as he was selected to the All-Big West honorable mention squad. Senior Derek Uyesaka, with an 80, placed 40th at 241. UCI's Paul Smolinski was named the Big West Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his 10 seasons with the Anteaters. With the victory, UCI advances to NCAA regional competition, most likely in the West, May 15-17. Golfweek coverage of Big West Championships: Big West Results: http://www.golfstatresults.com//public/leaderboards/team/static/team1137.html
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