OEC MEN'S GOLF GEARING UP FOR THE 2026 SEASON

The 2026 men's golf season is getting ready to tee off under a new realm of scoring. This year, each team will play six golfers, with the two highest scorers getting dropped from the team score.

Once again, it is looking like the race to the Orange Empire Conference championship will be another tight one as Orange Coast College looks to defend its crown. Last year, heading into the OEC Championship, the top three teams (OCC, Cypress College and College of the Desert) were separated by just five wins from each other.

The OEC sent five teams – OCC, Cypress, Desert, Mt. San Antonio College and Cuyamaca College – to the 3C2A SoCal Regional, along with five individuals.

Orange Coast went on to finish seventh at the 3C2A State Championship, its first trip to the state championship since 2018. The Pirates will hope to build on last season's sucess with All-State golfer Matt Ingram and State Qualifier Victor Chaparro looking to return.

College of the Desert also earned its spot at the 3C2A State Championship, taking sixth overall – the program's best finish since 2016. Mason Montgomery, who took seven individually at the state championship, is back for the Roadrunners, along with Phar Vincent and Linus Utter (All-OEC), both of which finished in the top 20 in the OEC last year.

Cypress comes off a second-place finish at last year's OEC Championship and went on to compete at the 3C2A SoCal Regional. The Chargers lost their top golfer in Vince Quintero, but return James Luther, who ranked seventh in the conference last year with a 74.6 average on the year.

Victor Valley College also looks to be a strong contender and returns the 2025 OEC Men's Golfer of the Year in Cory Rose. He finished 2025 with a 70.3 season average – almost two strokes in front of the rest of the field – and went on to compete in the 3C2A State Championship. The Rams also return Tyler Thomas, another State qualifier, and Sherman Cline, while welcoming five solid freshmen to the mix.

Cuyamaca College lost its two all-conference honorees in Zack Carlson and Taiki Marsh but look to a trio of sophomores to lead the squad. Sophomore Ethan Keusch finished in the top 25 last year with a 77.4 average.

Mt. SAC returns five golfers from last year's squad that helped the Mounties qualify for the 3C2A SoCal Regional. Aaron Duran looks to build on last year after leading the Mounties at the OEC Championship with a 75. Mt. SAC was just one spot off from qualifying for the state championship.

Riverside City College and Mt. San Jacinto College both look to build on last year's performances after the Tigers took sixth overall and the Eagles finished eighth in the conference standings. RCC sent one player to the SoCal Regional but welcomes a new set of faces this year. Mt. San Jacinto also has a bunch of newcomers looking to get into the lineup.

The men's golf season gets underway Sunday as most of the OEC teams head to LA Purisima GC for a two-day event hosted by Ventura College. The first OEC event is set to take place on Feb. 11 at the Eagle Golf Classic, hosted by Mt. San Jacinto, with the OEC Championships taking place on April 27 at Bear Valley GC.

Story by Sammi Wellman, Riverside City