Gordon qualifies for state golf tourney

Trent Gordon finished fifth at the boys 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Golf Tournament held on Monday and Tuesday, May 8-9, at the Chehalem Glenn Golf Course in Newberg. Gordon's score as an individual qualified him for the state tournament, which will be Monday and Tuesday, May 15-16 at Tokatee.

Gordon shot an 84 on day one and an 86 on day two for a total of 170. In his first round he shot a 40 on the front nine and a 44 on the back, and finished with nine pars in the round. The back nine was a bit tougher as Gordon had to deal with some tough lies on the par five holes. He did have some great par saves on holes 4, 6, and 10. The 4th hole was especially nice as he hit a shot approximately 35-40 feet out of a sandy bunker to put the ball to within two feet of the cup, and then tapped it in for par.

On day two, Gordon shot a 45 on the front nine, and improved by four strokes for a 41 on the back. He hit a really nice birdie shot on Hole 10 with a putt from 25 yards out.

Gordon said, "On the second day nerves got me a little on the front, but I improved on the back. I felt that I handled the pressure of going into the second day with a pretty tight race for the last spot on the all-conference team. I was just happy that I was able to keep my head on straight and play my round. I felt that I put together two pretty solid rounds overall."

"I would like to give a huge thank-you to my golf coach, Bill Mitchell, for supporting me in playing both golf and baseball this spring, and just being a great coach," he added.

Mitchell said, "Trent is just a freshman and didn't play that much during the regular season due to baseball. But he learned the game of golf at a younger age from his father, and he could be a really good golfer."

Devin Coverdale also competed in the tournament, and finished in a tie for 10th place. On day one he shot a 51 and then improved by five strokes for a 46 on the back. The highlight of his round was a birdie on the 16th hole. On day two he finished his round with a 96.

Coverdale said, "I had a very disappointing two days at District, other than the birdie I got on the first day."

Mitchell said, "Devin was disappointed with his rounds and wanted badly to go to Tokatee for the state events, but as I've said, golf is not an easy game! He is certainly capable of doing much better, but he will continue to work on his game and improve. Devin was a true Ironman this season, playing nine competitive rounds during a very short, bad-weather spring season. He played in every event I scheduled."

Ella Eby was the lone golfer on the girls' side, and played at McNary Golf Course in the girls district tournament.

On the first day of the tourney she shot a 60 on the front nine, and bettered her score by four strokes on the back for a 56, for a total of 116. On day two, Eby played much better. She shot a 52 on both the front and back for a round of 104, which included two pars.

Eby said, "My favorite part of the tournament was getting to know the other girls on the other teams. This is my first year competing so I just try and have fun with it. I'm pretty proud of how I did and really created an appreciation of the sport. My second day I performed a lot better, maybe because it was sunny. The end of the front nine holes weren't my favorite, but thankfully I pulled it together and finished strong. My coach, Bill Mitchell, has really helped coach me through the mindset of the game and has definitely shared his passion with me. And maybe next year Sisters will recruit enough girls to compete as a team."

Mitchell said, "The common denominator here is obviously (that) it helps if you get started at a younger age. If you've never played, have no clubs, and just want to play high school golf, you are in for a steep climb, unless you're willing to work all year long."