Friday Harbor Golf Team always looks forward to our annual match with Lopez. Lopez is such a great host; they allow us to bring our entire team and provide us with bus pickup and delivery along with treats after the match. Their little course is shorter and easier than San Juan’s and it’s nice to see it in such great condition this early in the season.
We traveled with eleven players and it was a day for personal best! Eight of the eleven players scored a personal best for the season. With tournament season right around the corner, what else could a coach hope for? Everyone seems to be peaking as the season caps off with the journey to the State Tournament. To make the trip to State, players have to finish in the top half at the District Tournament and then at the Bi-District qualifier, only the top six players advance to the Big Show, the State Tournament. It’s not an easy journey and it puts a lot of stress on these young players.
Our number one player, junior, Jack Hess, has played Lopez since he was an 8th grader. His even par 36 this year, beat his previous score of 38. It’s great to see Jack’s game on track as he gets ready to qualify for the State Tournament.
Sam Herda almost broke 40 for the first time in a match. Sam shot 38 at our course in practice about a week ago. When asked where he could have saved a shot or two, he just grinned and said “It’s going to happen soon and regularly. I lost at least 2 shots by making bad choices.” It’s a learning process, but once he starts breaking 40 in matches, look out.
For the second week in a row, junior, Finn Graham, shot a five over 41. Finn has a solid game and it’s just a matter of days before he breaks the 40 barriers along with Sam. Finn can hit the ball a mile and has great touch around the greens. Once he believes how good he really is, there will be no stopping him.
Two Sophomores, PJ Nixon and Dylan Lawson, both posted personal bests with scores of 42. Lopez is an easier golf course than San Juan but you still have to get the ball into the hole! Both of these young players have greatly improved their games. PJ has finally slowed down his swing and realized solid contact is more important than an extra 25 yards. PJ made his first eagle in his golfing career on the second hole, a par 5. He will look back in 30 years and still remember the three shots that lead to an eagle three. Dylan must have grown 6 inches since last year and his game reminds me of his older cousin, Jack Mason, who used to play on the team a few years back. Dylan grew up playing with Jack and much of that early development is showing up in his game.
Another Sophomore, Randy Rebhan, posted a personal best with a fine 48. Randy broke 50 for the first time last week with a 49. We can only wish to improve by one shot a week with our own game. Randy is a big, strong player who has a lot of golf ahead of him in high school.
Freshman, Oliver Grifo, a Spring Street student, is improving the fastest on the team. This season he has gone from 60’s to 50’s and now broken into the 40’s, with a 49 on Thursday. Breaking 50 for the first time is a big deal for golfers. Oliver is very focused and I see him continuing to improve as the season progresses.
On the Ladies team, senior, Morgan Douglass, posted a season low score of 47. Morgan was the medalist for the match in the lady’s division by seven shots. If Morgan continues this good play, she has a very good chance to earn a return trip to the State Tournament this season.
Friday Harbor will host the 10th Annual Friday Harbor Invitational on Friday May 2. We invited six other teams to come and play an 18-hole event as a dress rehearsal for the District Tournament. Fifty players will tee it up for a fun and stress-free warm-up for the big tournaments coming up in the next few weeks. The Invitational is the first eighteen-hole match of the season and it will prepare the players for the seven mile walk and warm them up for the heat of competition. The San Juan Golf Club is giving up their course for a day to host this special event. A big THANK YOU goes to our local club for the tremendous support and encouragement they provide these young golfers.
Tuesday April 24th at Lopez Golf Club, Par 36, Lopez Island, WA
Friday Harbor Boys Team - Low 2 Players 76
Jack Hess 36
Sam Herda 40
Finn Graham 41
PJ Nixon 42
Dylan Lawson 42
Randy Rebhan 48
Oliver Grifo 49
Fisher Goosman 50
Lopez Boys Team - Low 2 Players 104
Ulises Velazquez 45
Kayden Saravyn 59
Friday Harbor Ladies Team - Low 2 Players 122
Morgan Douglass 47
James Hollingsworth 65
Lilly Taylor 68
Lopez Ladies Team - Low 2 Players 109
Jose Luckhurst 54
Ana Rempeo 55
Kaileah Poole 56
Mira Velo 59