Rivals varsity golfers managed just one team win, but Ryan Olson advanced to the district tournament, while the girls’ team earned the Nisqually League sportsmanship …
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Rivals varsity golfers managed just one team win, but Ryan Olson advanced to the district tournament, while the girls’ team earned the Nisqually League sportsmanship award.
East Jefferson’s boys’ team (1-6) recorded its sole team victory over Seattle Christian on May 2. However, Olson’s consistently strong individual scores throughout the season enabled the Port Townsend junior to qualify for the league tournament in Tacoma on May 8.
At leagues, Olson shot a 94 and earned a berth in the district tournament last Thursday, also in Tacoma.
Naturally, the competition at district proved tougher, not just from fellow golfers but also from the elements. Olson described the 30 mile-per-hour winds as “unbearable.” He fell short of qualifying for state.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams suffered shortages of experienced golfers.
“This was a big step forward for me because it was my first year playing golf,” said Ryan Turner, a Chimacum junior. “I’m lucky to have amazing coaches to teach me.”
“Boys’ coach Jeff Heistand and volunteer coach Officer Tom Olson did amazing this year and deserve credit,” said Lisa Corbit, the girls’ coach.
EJ’s girls (0-7) went winless for the second consecutive season.
Just three high school girls came out for the team. “It wasn't a huge turnout,” said Corbit, a first-year coach.
To enable the Rivals to field a full team of four girls, Corbit recruited Blue Heron eighth-grader Alejandra Olson to play varsity. The middle schooler’s game improved rapidly and she finished the season as the team’s strongest golfer.
“All the girls showed a lot of improvement,” said Corbit. “Going from last year’s double-par pickup on every hole to recording scores in the sixties.”
League coaches recognized the EJ girls’ positive attitude and resilience with the league sportsmanship award.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams hope to retain and recruit more golfers for the future. “I would recommend any Chimacum or Town student to sign up next year,” said Turner. “We have lots of extra clubs.”
Joseph Gordon is a student and Brian MacKenzie a teacher at Chimacum High School.
