Golfers endure heartbreaker at District

The Outlaw golfers suffered a huge setback on the first day of Capital Conference District competition on Monday, May 9. Scott Barton, who has led the Outlaw team all season, was disqualified for signing an incorrect score card. At the end of day one Sisters trailed second-place Molalla by 19 strokes.

Scott Barton told The Nugget that at the end of the match he signed the scorecard and then it was brought to his attention there might be a mistake regarding the score on the 11th hole. Under further review it was determined Barton had signed for a lower score and was disqualified for the first round.

Scott Little carded an 84 for the day and Richard Aime was two strokes back of Little at 86. Miles Johnston scored a 95 and Evan Mitchell a 99.

Team scores for the day were: Stayton (340), Molalla (345), Sisters (364), Sweet Home (399), North Marion (403), and Cascade (404).

“The weather was just rotten,” said Coach Jeff Barton. “It was the most miserable day we’ve ever played a District match in. The golf course was flooded and it rained for 12 straight hours. One golfer lost his club. It slipped right out of his hand and landed 20 feet up in a hedge and it’s still there!

“The greens were playable but the fairways were flooded and there were puddles everywhere,” added Barton.

The following day the Outlaws got down to business and made a valiant effort to best Molalla for second place and a bid for the State tournament. But Sisters came up two strokes short and finished the District tournament in third place.

Scott Barton led the Outlaws with a par 72, followed by Scott Little, who shot an 81. Richard Aime carded a 91, Miles Johnston an 89 and Evan Mitchell rounded out scoring with an 88.

Barton tied for medalist honors with Alex Enriquez of Stayton, who was the overall medalist for the tournament.

Senior Scott Little finished fifth overall to qualify for the State tournament, which will be held Monday and Tuesday, May 16-17, at Eagle Ridge.

Stayton won the District title with a cumulative two-day score of 664. Molalla finished second with 692 and Sisters just two strokes back at 694 for third place. Sweet Home took fourth (763), Cascade fifth (767) and North Marion sixth (790).

“For a young team we hung in there pretty well,” said Barton. “Today we had our backs against the wall and did a good job. We just came up a little short.”