COC BEAT: PLAYER OF YEAR STAYS TO FINISH BUSINESS.

Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News

Alex Kuyumjian came to College of the Canyons with aspirations of earning a golf scholarship to a NCAA Division I university.

A stellar freshman season in which Kuyumjian was named Western States Conference Player of the Year resulted in an offer from USC. There is some unfinished business for Kuyumjian at Canyons this season, however. Namely, a berth in the state tournament.

The Cougars finished 39-1 in WSC play last season to win a share of their seventh conference title of the decade but failed in the regional playoffs to qualify for the state tournament. The setback prompted Kuyumjian to return for his sophomore season at Canyons instead of saving three seasons of eligibility to play at USC.

``It was a big decision whether I was going to play this season or not,'' Kuyumjian said. ``It was such a big letdown we were so unsuccessful at regionals. It gave me the drive to go back to regionals and prove that we are much better.''

Kuyumjian proved his ability as a senior at Westlake High, leading the Warriors to the 1996 state title. Three members of Kuyumjian's high school team: Linda Ishii (USC), Ross Fulgentis (UCLA) and Andy Sirivicha (Cal State Northridge) are playing at Division I universities. Kuyumjian, however, was relegated to a junior college to improve his grades.

After taking a year off from school after graduating from Westlake to concentrate exclusively on golf, Kuyumjian selected Canyons instead of nearby Ventura, based on the school's reputation and recommendations from friends.

Kuyumjian, who stays at his aunt's home in Valencia during the week and said he barely mustered a 2.0 grade point average in high school, has maintained a 3.2 grade-point average and was named to the dean's list at Canyons.

``Alex is a great example of the community-college system,'' Canyons coach Gary Peterson said. ``He did not do well academically in high school, but now he is completing his degree and ready to move on to a top-notch university.''

His two years at Canyons, though, have left a lasting impression on Kuyumjian

``I don't regret it,'' Kuyumjian said. ``It would have been nice to go straight to a four-year school. I might have got stuck in the party life and would not have been ready. I have learned a lot and matured.''

Sitting pretty: At the halfway point of conference play, Canyons is first in the WSC at 18-2, followed by Santa Barbara (15-5) and Ventura (12-8) with five matches remaining.

Kuyumjian shot a one-under par 71 to earn medalist honors and help the Cougars squeak by Santa Barbara 373-376 in a WSC match Monday at Bakersfield Country Club. It was third victory in five conference matches for Canyons, which finished second in the other two WSC matches.

On Monday, Mike Scott shot a 73 and Carlos Robledo and Travis Matye each shot 75. Chris Profeta and Pat Kelly rounded out Canyons scoring with scores of 79 and 80, respectively. The team competition might not have been as close if Kelly had not been penalized two strokes for hitting the wrong ball.