Boys golf takes first at Crook County

The boy's golf team took top honors at the Crook County Invitational on Thursday, April 8. Weather conditions were terrible, with wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour and intermittent snow

showers.

Despite the weather, the Outlaws played well. Sisters won the tourney with a team score of 331, Crook County was runner-up at 349, and Madras placed third at 358. Other scores in the tournament were: Sandy (381), Burns (399), and La Pine (406).

Jonathan Standen scored a 38 on the front nine and a 39 on the back to lead the Outlaws with a score of 77.

"Jonathan played very consistent today," said Coach Jeff Barton. "He hit the ball well all day and putted well."

Cody Farr-Benziger shot a 39 on both the front and back to finish one stroke back of Standen, with a 78.

Aaron Simundson carded an 85, Jeff Fought a 91 and Zach Cummings rounded out the scoring with a 112.

"They are all striking the ball well," said Barton. "They're hitting it off the tee and keeping it in the fairways. The weather was bad but we played well. It gave the kids an idea of what we can do this year, at least locally. We just need to get more consistent."

One day later the Outlaws traveled to Junction City and placed third in the tournament held at Shadow Hills.

Marist took first at 311 and Junction City placed second with a score of 347. Sisters was third at 38, Cottage Grove fourth at 369 and Elmira finished with a 410.

Farr-Benziger led the Outlaws with a 40-39-79. Standen shot an 83, Fought a 91, Simundson a 95 and Cummings finished at 98.

Barton told The Nugget that Shadow Hills has been the most difficult course the Outlaws have played on this season.

"One of the reasons it's difficult is because it's a long course," said Barton. "The greens today were quick and smooth and just ideal. We had difficulty adapting to that since we haven't seen greens of that quality yet this season. We struggled with our short game and we didn't make the changes we needed to make."

The Outlaws were to host the Aspen Lakes Invitational on Tuesday, April 13.

The girls golf team traveled to Tokatee on Monday, April 5, and played in adverse weather conditions. It was windy and cold with intermittent rain.

Despite the weather, Trish Erickson turned in the best score of her career with a score of 61-55 for a total of 116.

"Trish is playing pretty well right now and I'm very proud of the work and time she puts in each week to improve her game," said Coach Mary Flande. "Trish actually played six strokes better on the back, which is usually the tougher part of this course."

Stephanie Cole was frustrated with her play on the front nine but carded a 52 on both the front and back for 104.

"Stephanie played very consistent with the weather conditions they way they were, and I'm pretty pleased with her play," said Flande. "She had one bad hole on the front but really bounced back and played well."

Marist won the tournament with a team score of 382 and Cottage Grove was runner-up at 501. La Pine finished with a score of 606. Sisters, Sweet Home, Creswell, Elmira and McKenzie all had incomplete teams.

The Lady Outlaws' next match is at Mallard Creek in Sweet Home on Wednesday, April 14.