Golf teams compete in Crooked River Tourney

The Outlaws golf teams traveled to Crooked River for their first match of the season on Wednesday, March 17. The boys team placed second and the girls fielded an incomplete team.

Sisters' boys squad took second, with a team score of 351, 27 strokes behind Crook County, who took top honors. Bend was third (356), Madras fourth (360), Mountain View fifth (368) and Sweet Home rounded out the scoring at 389.

Aaron Simundson led the Outlaws with an individual score of 79, which was good for a tie for third place. Coach Jeff Barton noted that Simundson's short game was very sharp.

Jonathan Standen shot an 82 and showed signs of good play on the back, with three birdies.

Zach Cummins carded a 95 and Kevin Marquardt shot a 97.

Coach Jeff Barton said, "I thought we did pretty well considering that two of my varsity golfers weren't present. I had three JV kids playing and they did fine. Once we get our line-up together we'll be fine."

The Outlaws' next match will be at Meadow Lakes on Thursday, April 8, and on Friday, April 9, they will play at Shadow Hills.

On the girls' side, Stephanie Cole and Trish Erickson were the only varsity players to compete in the tournament. Redmond took first place with a team score of 388, Bend placed second (403) and Madras fourth (464).

Cole scored a 101 for the day and Erickson posted a score of 129.

Coach Mary Flande was pleased with her players' efforts.

"Stephanie played very consistent today and was solid all the way around the course," said Flande. "She struggled on a couple of holes but bounced back on the very next one, and that's where the experience she has will really help her. Trish played in her first varsity tournament ever and did pretty well. Her back nine was nine strokes better than the first nine. She's pretty steady and she'll do nothing but get better as the season progresses."

Flande noted that her girls have lots of work to do but believe they'll work hard to improve and will get better each week.

The Lady Outlaws' next match will be played at Tokatee on Monday, April 5.