Cougars Sit Third, Nilson Tied for Individual Lead After Opening Round at 3C2A State Championship Tourney

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

LA QUINTA — College of the Canyons finished its opening round at the 3C2A State Championship tournament on Sunday in third place, six shots back of leader College of the Desert, with sophomore Anthony Nilson sharing the individual tourney lead at SilverRock Resort.

Canyons, which is competing for a third straight 3C2A State Championship, carded a four-player score of 294 to finish the day one stroke behind Victor Valley College (293) in second the event host Desert (288) in the top spot. Sierra College (297) and Reedley College (299) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to remain in contention.  

Nilson's three-under-par round of 69 featured four birdies, and just one bogey, to tie with Julian Rombouts of Reedley for the individual lead. 

The tourney field included nine players who finished under par with two others finishing even at 72.

Kai Willen was next for Canyons with his two-over-par round of 74 locking the freshman into a four-way tie for 17th in the field of nearly 70 players.

Jack Franklin was just one shot behind that pace with his round of 75 tying for 21st overall. Ed Beehag was just a few spots down the leaderboard in a tie for 23rd after finishing his round at 76.

Jacques Struyf (79/T37th) and Arnaud Bouhaniche (80/T43rd) had their scores dropped from the final COC team total.

The 2026 3C2A State Championship Tournament continues Monday, May 11, at SilverRock Resort. 

Full results from Sunday's opening round are included here.

TEAM SCORES
1. Desert (288) 2. Victor Valley (293) 3. Canyons (294) 4. Sierra (297) 5. Reedley (299) 6. San Joaquin Delta – (305) 7. Ventura (309) 8. Orange Coast (309) 9. Napa Valley (309)

CANYONS INDIVIDUAL SCORES 
Anthony Nilson (69 – T1st); Kai Willen (74 – T17th); Jack Franklin (75-T21st); Ed Beehag (76 -T23rd); Jacques Struyf (79-T37th); Arnaud Bouhaniche (80-T43rd)

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.