Golfers take first at Sweet Home

The boys golf team took first place at the Sweet Home Invitational Tournament, held at Mallard Creek, on Wednesday, April 21.

Sisters finished with a team score of 331 for top-place honors. Junction City was eight strokes back at 339, and Tillamook placed third at 367. Sweet Home carded a 374, and Lebanon rounded out the scoring at 392.

Jonathan Standen shot a 76 and was the tournament medalist. Standen shot a 35 on the back nine, six strokes better than he scored on the front. Jonathan's round was highlighted by back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th holes. On the 12th hole (par 5), Standen drove the ball 300 yards off the tee, and his next shot landed six feet from the hole. Standen's eagle shot lipped out, but he tapped it in for the birdie.

"I finally got some momentum to my round on the back nine," said Standen. "It was nice to finish under par on the back and I want to take this with me into our next tournament. We've been struggling of late as a team, but we're gaining experience and getting better. We're hoping to make it to state this year, but it will be a tough road at district. Marist is going to make it, and so that second spot will be between us and Junction City."

Aaron Simundson carded an 83, Cody Farr-Baenziger an 85 and Zach Cummings an 87.

Coach Jeff Barton said, "This was just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully, this will build momentum for us as we head into the second half of the season."

Two days earlier the Outlaws finished fifth out of 11 teams at a tournament held at Bend Golf & Country Club.

The weather was warm and sunny and Barton said it was the best weather they've played in all season.

Redmond took championship honors with a team score of 315, Summit placed second at 326 and Pendleton third at 348. Crook County carded a 350, followed by Sisters, who scored just one stroke back at 351. Scores for the remaining teams were: Bend (356), Mt. View (368), Hermiston (383), The Dalles Wahtonka (385), La Pine (398) and Burns (413).

Jeff Fought carded an 81 for his best score of the season to lead the Outlaws. Jonathan Standen shot an 87, Cody Farr-Baenziger a 91 and Aaron Simundson was just one stroke back of

Farr-Baenziger with a 92. Zach Cummings rounded out the scoring with a 94.

Barton told The Nugget that the Outlaws did not play well at all, but he was pleased with the newest members on his team.

"The bright spot of the day was Jeff (Fought) and Zach (Cummings)," said Barton. "Jeff had his best round of the season and Zach, a first-year varsity player, shot a 94 on a difficult course."

Barton added, "Our short game has hurt us all year and that's what we really need to work on. It's tedious and hard to practice that part of the game but it's where we need to improve."

The Outlaws will play at Awbrey Glen on Thursday, April 29.