Boys golf team captures district title

The boys golf team reached their goal of bringing home the first place trophy from the Capital Conference District Tournament at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Molalla.

The Outlaws will head to the State Tournament Monday and Tuesday, May 15-16 at the Resort Course at Eagle Crest.

Sisters competed with five other teams on Monday and Tuesday, May 8-9 and finished at the top with a final score of 323/323 (646) for their lowest scores of the season. Stayton was 20 strokes back at 325/341 (666) for second place. Molalla scored 346/342 (688) and Cascade finished at 344/344 (688). Remaining scores were: Sweet Home 358/339 (697) and North Marion 381/379 (760).

Scott Barton earned individual medalist honors on the par-71 course with scores of 70/72 (142). Other Outlaws scores were: Evan Mitchell 82/77 (159), Miles Johnston 82/85 (167), Billy Jacobson 89/95 (184) and Kyler Miller 101/89 (190).

Mitchell and Miller both carded career low scores on the second day of tournament play.

Coach Jeff Barton noted the consistent play of Miles Johnston and Evan Mitchell.

“Miles (Johnston) and Evan (Mitchell) have been playing at a steady, high level of golf and that’s what you need,” said Coach Jeff Barton.

Barton added, “We played so consistent it was scary. We did a very machine-like job and kept our mistakes to a minimum. We’re playing our best golf of the season and peaking at just the right time. I was really pleased with our play today. It was a total team effort and our four and five guys really stepped up.”

Junior Miles Johnston said, “I was expecting us to do well. We’ve all been getting better every week and we’re led by a good leader (Scott). It was a pretty big deal to win Districts and I feel like we deserved it. It’s great we’re going to State.”

As for how the team will do at the State Tournament, Barton told The Nugget that anything can happen but realistically the team is hoping for a middle of the pack finish.

Barton’s son, Scott, is one of the favorites heading into the State Tournament.

“Scott should be in the hunt for the individual state champion,” said Barton, “or at least finish in the top five.”

Scott Barton and Evan Mitchell were both first-team all-league selections and Miles Johnston earned second-team all-league honors.