It’s a new world for the Plateau’s prep golfers, who participated in last week’s North Puget Sound League tournament. While some advanced to spring play, others saw their 2024 campaign come to a close.
In years past, local golfers could earn a spot in the state tournament during their league tournament. That’s no longer the case, as the league tourney decided which teams and individuals will compete in a spring district tourney.
Still, the Oct. 14-15 league tourney, staged at Gold Mountain in Bremerton, was kind to Plateau competitors. Golfers from both Enumclaw High and White River will continue when their sport picks up again in the spring.
In Western Washington, golf is a split-season affair. The regular season is spread out over the fall, but postseason play takes place in the spring. The Class 3A state tourney for both boys and girls is set for mid-May in Spokane.
Here’s a look at how Plateau golfers fared at Golf Mountain.
ENUMCLAW BOYS
The Hornet squad rallied at Gold Mountain to win the NPSL tourney. Trailing Thomas Jeffererson High by nine strokes following the opening day of play, coach Ryan Picinich saw seven of his golfers shoot in the 70s on Day 2 to edge the Raiders 641-643.
The No. 1 finish sends the EHS boys to the spring qualifier (district) tournament.
The Hornets were paced by Wyatt Webb who totaled 154 for the two-day NPSL tourney and placed fourth overall. His teammates included Travis Leonard, 159, tied for sixth; Parker Cook and Cole Kiblinger, both 164 and tied for 13th; Taelon Van Dam, 167, tied for 16th; Ian Nitsche and Hendo Bort, both 172 and tied for 20th; Sawyer Mowbray, 173, 22nd; and Dylan McMahan, 177, 23rd.
WHITE RIVER BOYS
The Buckley crew made a strong showing at Gold Mountain, landing in a second-place tie with Thomas Jefferson and finishing just two strokes out of the lead. By virtue of a top-four finish, White River advances to the spring qualifier (district) tournament.
The Hornets’ top finisher was Gavin Weber, who shot a combined 159 over two days of play and wound up in a three-way tie for sixth place. Also on the White River roster were Kary Evans and Vaughn Porter, each totaling 161 and tying for 10th place; Jonah Wright, 163 and 12th place; Zach Wisdom, 165 and 15th place; and Wes Ebbert, 167 and 16th place.
WHITE RIVER GIRLS
First-year coach Megan Cash took over a powerful program that once again showed its might, placing second at last week’s NPSL tourney.
The Hornet girls posted a two-day team score of 709, trailing only Auburn Mountainview. With that lofty finish, White River earned a spot in the spring qualifier (district) tournament.
Leading the way was Lexie Mahler, who placed second in the NPSL field with a two-day total of 144. She was joined by teammates Kailey Jensen, 174, tied for fourth; Abigail Ringel, 195, good for eighth place; Abby Akins, 196, ninth place; Ella Johnson, 217, tied for 16th; and Isla Strasser, 224, 20th place.
ENUMCLAW GIRLS
The Hornet girls landed at No. 4 in the team standings during the two-day NPSL tourney, thus earning a spot in the spring qualifier.
Individual, the top EHS finisher was Taylor Puryear who carded a two-day total of 176 to place sixth in the field. Others competing were Kennedy Francis, 214 and 15th place; Emma Fardig, 227 and 21st place; Lucy Thomas, 230 and 24th place; and Audrey Peterson, 251 and 28th place.
INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS
The top five performers from the NPSL tourney will make up their team’s entry in next spring’s tournament, but a handful of others qualified individually.
That list includes White River’s Isla Strasser and Wes Ebbert and Enumclaw’s Ian Nitsche.
