Golfers from both Enumclaw and White River High find themselves east of the Cascade Range this week, participating in state golf tournaments.
All are in Spokane, Enumclaw as part of the Class 4A state tourney while White River competes in the 2A ranks. State tournaments for all classifications began Tuesday and conclude today, Wednesday.
Golf is a split-season proposition in Western Washington, with the regular season played in the fall and postseason play coming in the spring. Leading up to the state tournaments, Enumclaw and White River golfers joined their peers for West Central District qualifying at the Gold Mountain complex in Bremerton.
Here’s a look at how the local programs shaped up following the May 13-14 WCD play and headed into state competition.
ENUMCLAW HIGH BOYS
The EHS boys were the only ones to qualify an entire squad for state, placing fifth in district play. They trailed district champion Bellarmine Prep, South Kitsap, Kentwood and Tahoma.
Enumclaw’s state contingent was paced by top-rated Jaeger Christian who shot a first-day 76 and improved to 73 for a two-day total of 149. That left him third overall in a field of 80 golfers.
The rest of the EHS boys squad consisted of Cameron Serba, who went 78-82-160 for 36 holes; Ty Albrecht, 83-77-160; Tristen Nichols, 88-90-188; and Wyatt Bort, 86-98-184.
Additionally, Enumclaw had two boys competing individually. Colton Willson opened with an 88 to make the cut and posted a round of 112 on the second day for a total of 200. Ray Coville opened with a 92 and did not advance to the second round.
The 4A boys state tournament is being played at The Creek at Qualchan.
ENUMCLAW HIGH GIRLS
Nine EHS girls played the Cascade Course at Gold Mountain May 13-14 and, when the final putt dropped, only Emma Murphy was left with golf still to play.
She qualified individually for the Class 4A girls state tournament, which will be contested at Spokane’s Hangman Valley Golf Course. She advanced to state after shooting rounds of 87 and 91, totaling 178 in West Central District play.
Others who competed as part of Enumclaw’s five-person team were Maya Rismiller, 95-92-187; Kennedy VanHoof, 89-101-190; Danyel Korpe 103-93-196; and Taylor Anglin 94-102-196.
Four EHS girls competed individually, paced by Meredith Petellin, who shot 90-95-185, and Maddie Rubin 94-97-191. Two others, Alina Adams (106) and Ava Jenkins (117) played the first day of the district tourney but did not advance to the second round.
WHITE RIVER BOYS
Leading the White River contingent is senior Joe Flanigan, making his fourth consecutive appearance in the state tournament. Five teammates will join him, all making their first state trip: Drew Thompson, Clay Cashman, Tanner Penrose, AJ Mills and Lane Maras.
Flanigan, Thompson and Mills were direct qualifiers to state. The remaining trio earned their way during the May 15 spring qualifying tourney, played on Gold Mountain’s Olympic Course. Playing under difficult conditions with fast greens, Maras carded a 93, Penrose came in at 95 and Cashman totaled 96.
The White River boys will play their state rounds at Liberty Lake Golf Course.
WHITE RIVER GIRLS
A quartet of White River girls trekked to Spokane for the Class 2A state tourney.
Having already qualified were Ashley Buchholz, Emma McGregor, Brooke Gelinas and Brooke Mahler. White River had no one participating in the girls’ spring qualifier.
The Class 2A girls will stage their state tournament at MeadowWood Golf Course.
