Rawls leads Outlaws golfers to title

The Sisters High School girls golf team took top honors at the Sky-Em League Championships at the Middlefield Golf Course in Cottage Grove, held on Monday and Tuesday, May 11-12.

They were crowned district champions for the second consecutive year.

Sisters dominated play both days to finish with a team score of 671, 104 strokes ahead of runner-up Marist who finished at 775. Cottage Grove placed third (834) and La Pine was fifth (841).

The entire Outlaws squad had top performances. The first day out, players were stiff, cold and bundled up in several layers of clothing to try and escape the pouring rain.

At the end of day one Emily Rawls, Shelby Ross, Hannah Harrer and Stephanie Cole held the top four spots which put Sisters 61 strokes ahead of Marist in the competition. Rawls and Ross tied with a score of 81, Harrer shot an 83 and Cole finished with a 90.

Sisters came out on day two and finished strong. Rawls earned medalist honors with her score of 82 and finished three strokes ahead of teammate Ross. Ross carded an 85, to finish second overall. Harrer, in her first district tournament, was tied for the lead after nine holes. Harrer finished with an 84, for third place overall. Cole bounced back from a rough start on day one and shot five strokes better to score an 85, which placed her fourth overall.

For Emily Rawls, it was truly a Cinderella story. Four years ago, for the first time, Rawls picked up a golf club and began trying a new sport. In her first tournament, she shot a 160. After four years of hard work and effort, she made it to the very top and earned medalist honors as the District Champion.

"I was just ecstatic when it was finally over," said Rawls. "I felt like all my hard work had paid off. I really was a district champion, and that was something I'd only hoped or dreamed would ever happen."

Coach Mary Flande was pleased with her entire team.

"Wow! The girls played so well over the two-day tournament," said Flande. "These girls played the most consistent golf you could ask for during a district tournament. I'm very proud of all of them. Emily was our district champion. She worked so hard during the off season and really wanted to perform. The second day she was able to keep it all together and turn in a very solid round of golf."

Flande added, "I couldn't be prouder of them all. They went into the district tournament with the focus to play well and do their best. They did just that and are the district champions for 2009."

The Outlaws will attend the 4A-3A-2A-1A state tournament Monday and Tuesday, May 18 and 19, at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond.

Before districts, the team wrapped up their final week of league play with a first-place finish at the Sisters High School Girls Invitational, held at Aspen Lakes Golf Course on Tuesday, May 5, and then finished fifth out of seven teams two days later at Broken Top in Bend.

In Tuesday's match the Lady Outlaws faced very windy and cool weather conditions and finished with a team score of 385, 55 strokes ahead of runner-up Thurston, who scored a 440. Cottage Grove placed third (483), La Pine fourth (522) and Cascade fifth at 548.

Rawls led the Outlaws with an 89. Rawls bettered her score on the back nine by three strokes and had four pars in the round to finish second overall.

Stephanie Cole carded a 91 for a personal best and third place overall, and Shelby Ross was fourth overall with a 99. Hannah Harrer shot a 106, and Paige Stevens rounded out the scoring with a 119.

Summit took first place (361) at Broken Top in Thursday's tournament. Crook County scored a 379, Mountain View 385, Bend 395 and Sisters 411.

Rawls finished with an 86 to lead the Outlaws for the second consecutive match. Hannah Harrer shot a 100, Stephanie Cole a 103 and Paige Stevens a 122.