Outlaws win conference golf opener

The boys golf team opened conference play at the Tokatee Golf Course on Friday, March 15, under perfect weather conditions; sunshine, no wind and temperatures in the mid-60s.

Sisters took first place with a team score of 376. Sweet Home was runner-up at 380 with Cottage Grove just one stroke back at 381. Stayton was fourth at 429 and Creswell and Junction City tied for fifth with a team score of 433.

Outlaw Nathan Pajutte tallied a 79 to earn medalist honors for the tourney. Pajutte was the only player in the entire field to post a score under 80. Nathan started the first four holes at four over par and went on to finish the last 14 holes three over par.

Coach Bill Mitchell said, "It was a great first outing for Nathan. He's very consistent in his drives, his irons and his putting, and you have to have that to shoot in the 70s."

Tyler Berg shot a 92, Nolan Ferwalt a 93, Jacob Jeppsen a 112 and Jacob Hanson rounded out the scores with a 116.

"We desperately need some help in the fourth and fifth spots, and I think the potential is there," said Mitchell. "Overall I'm excited, but we do have a lot of work cut out for us. The remaining part of our schedule we play against all the Bend and Redmond schools, many of which are 5A. We'll be competing against some of the best teams in the state."

The Outlaws will play at Crook County on Thursday, March 21, against Bend and Redmond schools before taking two weeks off for spring break.