The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Sisters golfers raised more than $3,000 in a benefit tourney to help school teams with transportation, coaching, green fees, golf balls and other expenses.

As a result of beating up on the bigger schools in the area, the Outlaws can lay claim to being the best high school golf team in Central Oregon.

The boys traveled to Mallard Creek in Lebanon on Tuesday, April 30, to take on the rest of the Capital Conference in a league match.

With a team score of 312, Coach Jeff Barton said, "we won by an overwhelming 18 strokes. We didn't play our best, but we still won handily. It was a good tune-up for the district tournament."

The Outlaws were paced by Jonathan Green, who took individual medallist honors with a score of 75. Hot on his heels were brothers David and Christian, who shot 76 and 77, respectively. Zach Sweeney finished with an 84.

On Friday, May 3, Sisters hosted the third round of the Central Oregon Classic at Aspen Lakes.

Playing on their home course and beginning the day with a 10-stroke lead over rival Bend High, the Outlaws played determined and inspired golf, which was bad news for the rest of the field.

"We shot 303, which is our best score of the year," Barton said. "We basically ran away with it. Once we got on our home course, I knew that we'd be tough to beat. The other schools didn't play as well as they are capable of playing, and we did."

The 303 score gave Sisters a total of 914 for the three rounds. Bend High finished the day with 326, 30 strokes behind the leaders for the tournament at 934.

Redmond shot 319 for the day and finished third in the Classic with 947, followed by Summit (324; 963 total), Mountain View (330; 1,009 total), Crook County (356; 1,042 total), Madras (350; 1,045 total), and La Pine (393; 1,176 total).

The Outlaws showcased their depth by having a different player take individual medallist honors in each of the three rounds.

Jonathan Green led the first round with a score of 70, and won the tournament with a 221 total score, six strokes ahead of Bend High's Chad Cocco and seven strokes better than Matt Fladwood of Redmond.

The turning point in the tournament, however, came in round two when Jeremy DeBoard of Sisters shot a 74 in what Barton called, "horrible weather conditions.

"That's when we took charge," Barton said.

Sisters began the day behind front-runner Redmond, but left round two with a ten-stroke lead over Bend. They stretched the lead to 30 strokes, thanks in part to David Green leading the charge.

It was his turn to take the individual scoring crown, and he did it by shooting a 74.

Jonathan Green and Justin Little each shot 76, followed closely by Christian Green (77) and Jeremy DeBoard (88).

Now that the Outlaws have established their claim as the best golf team in the region, they have their sights on defending their titles in the upcoming district and state meets.

The district tournament is May 5-6 at Aspen Lakes, and Sisters hopes to repeat as state champions on May 13-14 at the Eagle Ridge golf course at Eagle Crest.

The team got a boost from local golfers last weekend. More than 60 golfers showed up on a cold and windy day at Glaze Meadow golf course at Black Butte Ranch to play in an 18-hole benefit for the Sisters High School Golf Teams.

Over $3,000 was raised (use of the course was donated by Black Butte Ranch).