By Ron Smith
September 4, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Two freshmen led the way for Westmont's men's and women's golf in the season opening tournament at Olivas Links.
 
After three rounds of play, Andy Knight finished with a one-over par 217 to tie for 18th place in the tournament. He was very close to shooting par, but his 45-foot put on the final green hit the pin and bounced away. Instead he tapped it in for a one-over par 73 in today's final round.
 
"I always expect to play well and go in trying to win," said Knight, who set a Westmont record for lowest score over 54 holes. "I didn't get that done this week, but hopefully next tournament.
 
"It was windy a couple of rounds, but it wasn't too difficult a course. I missed a lot of puts out there. The competition was harder than I thought."
 
"We have high expectations for Andy Knight as a freshman and I expect him to continue playing well," said Westmont head coach Josh Ault.
 
Junior Trevor White posted a seven-over par 223 with rounds of 74, 73 and 76.
 
"Trevor is the leader of our team and he was solid," noted Ault. "He came out and did exactly what we expected.
 
"I had some expectations for the men's team and for the most part they did as well as I expected and even a little bit better," said the coach. "I think about freshman Joseph Cardon who shot a 73 yesterday. That was unexpected and wonderful. There is skill and craft on our men's team."
 
In the women's tournament, Charlie Bloom followed up yesterday's round of 79 with a 76 in today's second round, giving her a two-day total of 155 (11 over par) in her first collegiate tournament.
 
"I had a really fun time, getting to meet new people from different colleges," said Bloom. "Coach Ault and Coach John were very supportive and the women are all so welcoming. My first tournament, I definitely was very nervous, but I think I channel my nerves in a good direction.
 
"I really liked the course – the layout and the pins. I also liked learning how to use the slope books that coach gave us. That really helps."
 
"Charlie was a bit of a surprise, but at the same time she is so athletic and can hit the ball well," offered Ault. "Our women's team can really hit the ball and put it out there.
 
"I am so excited to have a women's team to coach," said Ault. "At my previous school, we did not have enough members to form a team. I am having a lot of fun coaching this group of women. To actually see them show up and play good golf was a huge bonus in our first event."
 
All five of Westmont's female golfers lowered their score in the second round. Serena Jonay Garcia dropped her score by four strokes, posting a 77 on the second day to tally 158 strokes. Melinda Amick recorded an 81 today, one stroke lower than the day before. Drew Thompson knocked four strokes off her total, tallying a career-best 82. Kat Bevill also improved by a stroke, recording an 83.

Today's women's team score of 316 is the best in school history, beating the old mark set just yesterday of 326. Consequently, the team also set a record for the best 36-hole team total at 642.
 
"We are learning a lot right now, including some things most of them have never been introduced to before," said Ault of both programs. "Some of them will continue to improve just based on the information alone. When we add skill drills and mechanical days to that, this team is going to continue to get better."
 
Both teams will be back in action on October 11-12 when they participate in The Master's Invitational to be held at Alisal Ranch Course in Solvang.