By Ron Smith
November 1, 2023
 
(CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Golf concluded the fall season by claiming a championship at the PCH Fall Invitational conducted at Quail Lodge Golf Club. The Warriors were tied for first with Oregon Tech at the end of Monday's first round after each team posted a score of 325 strokes. On Tuesday, the Warriors improved their team score by three strokes to claim a four-stroke victory.
 
"The women got the job done," expressed Westmont's head coach Josh Ault. "Today's team score of 322 was the lowest round of the day and of the tournament for all five teams. It was a battle the whole tournament. We had a slow start, and to see the women battle back from a slow start to eventually a win championship was amazing. I think they dug really deep and found a new gear that I didn't know they had.
 
"It was great to see Charlie Bloom finish in a tie for second place, only two shots off of the leader. It was one of the best performances of her college career."
 
Bloom, who posted scores of 79 each day, was tied for third after day one. Hannah Camara finished tied for fourth after posting two rounds of 80.
 
"Hannah was a strong competitor through the whole event," noted Ault. "She also was in contention for the win.
 
"Mallory Hopper and Sydnee Magpoc were our other two counting scorers each day. Sydney made an important putt on 18 to secure the win."
 
Hopper finished tied for ninth place after posting scores of 82 and 81. Magpoc tied for 11th with scores of 84 and 82.
 
"It was very loud on 18," reported Ault. "We had some great family fan support and it was an exciting scene to wrap up the tournament. Such a joy. I am so proud of the women to finish the fall with a win. That will give us some great momentum going into the spring."
 
Westmont Men's Golf finished seventh in the 11-team tournament, 23 strokes behind Menlo who won the event.
 
"Freshman Trevor Moquin recorded his highest finish in the fall season, tying for fourth place," said Ault. "He had a real shot to win the individual championship. I'm sure he will learn from this event and close the next time he is in position."
 
Moquin shot rounds of 76 and 72 to finish six over par and six back of the tournament champion.
 
"Payton Hendricks had another solid performance and finished 16th out of 64 players," said Ault. "It was a great fall for the men, including one win. I'm sure they learned a lot and will be a tough team to beat in the spring,"
 
The men's team will kick off the spring season by returning to Quail Lodge for the PCH Spring Invitational on February 12 and 13. The women will make that trip as well, but the week before will start spring play at the LA Spring Kickoff at the Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena.