SEQUIM — North Olympic Peninsula golfers claimed three of four Class 1A and 2A Olympic League golf championships at The Cedars at Dungeness golf course Tuesday.
Sequim’s Blake Wiker edged teammate Paul Jacobsen in a one-hole playoff on the first hole to win the 2A boys golf championship after Wiker and Jacobsen finished 18 holes tied at 3-over-par 75.
“I thought [the playoff] was going to go all night considering through their entire season they ended up with the exact same scoring average down to a tenth of a point,” Wolves boys coach Bill Shea said.
“But Blake made par and Paul bogeyed the hole.”
Shea said it was a fitting end for the league title.
“Paul and Blake are No. 1 and No. 2 in league scoring average and that’s how they end the league championship.”
Chimacum’s Logan Storm posted a round of 6-over-par 78 to finish third overall at the tournament and first amongst 1A golfers from Klahowya and Port Townsend.
Port Townsend’s Mackenzie Lake (85) bested all 1A and 2A opponents to win the girls championship by one stroke over Klahowya’s Emi Brown.
The top six Class 2A boys and top four 2A girls finishers advanced directly to the state tournament. The next nine 2A boys and seven girls (plus ties) will play at the district golf tournament at Gold Mountain Golf Course in Bremerton on Wednesday, May 15.
The top eight boys and nine girls at district will advance to the 2A state tournament.
Sequim freshman Ben Sweet will join Wiker and Jacobsen at the 2A state tournament. Sweet finished fourth overall, third amongst 2A golfers, with a round of 80.
“I think everybody played great,” Shea said. “That was Ben’s career round tournament-wise at the high school level. He had a bit of a rough finish but overall it was a really good showing and I’m super impressed with his performance.”
The Wolves could add a fourth state qualifier if Liam Payne, who shot an 88 to finish 11th overall and seventh in 2A, advances at the district tournament.
“Liam did great,” Shea said. “He was steady all day and shot close to his average. He’s one of the top qualifiers for district and I feel very confident he can qualify for state and join the other guys.
Two Port Angeles boys golfers advanced to the district tournament. Derek Sparks carded a 96 to end up tied for 11th in 2A and Cameron Fouts (97) tied for 13th for the Roughriders.
“Satisfying shots were hard to find in the beginning but they settled down,” Port Angeles coach Gil Stockton said. “The boys all started on the back nine at Cedars and struggled early, but got over the nerves and shot in the low 40s after the turn. I am proud of the way they kept themselves together and how they finished strong. Beautiful day for golf.”
Yana Hoesel posted the best performance of the Sequim girls, tying for eighth overall and sixth in 2A with a 99. She and teammate Brittney Gale (105) will compete at the district tournament.
With fewer schools and golfers participating, the road to state is more challenging for 1A golfers.
Lake and Storm still must qualify for state through the district tournament, also set for Gold Mountain on Wednesday, May 15.
Twenty girls golfers will compete for eight 1A state spots at the district tournament. Lake is seeking her third straight state berth.
Storm also is seeking a return trip to state. To do so, he’ll have to finish in the top 15 out of 25 golfers at the district tournament. Cowboys’ teammate Sean Storey posted a 102 and also will play at the district tournament.
Port Townsend’s Jacob Madison finished 10th overall, fourth amongst 1A boys, with a round of 87. He’ll try to advance to state for the third time in his prep career at the district meet. Teammate Sam Boatman also qualified for district with a 98.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Yana Hoesel of Sequim looks down the first hole fairway during Tuesday’s Olympic League championship tournament at The Cedars at Dungeness near Sequim.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Paul Jacobsen of Sequim tees off during Tuesday’s Olympic League Championship tournament at The Cedars at Dungeness near Sequim.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles’ Derek Sparks drives down the fairway on the 10th hole at The Cedars at Dungeness during Tuesday’s Olympic League Championship tournament.
