“We did it!,” said coach Bobby Olmsted. “Both girls & boys (teams) are the 2010 league champions. There are lots of golfers with big smiles on their faces right now.”
The girls team, all in their first year of playing competitive golf, walked away with a decisive victory over La Conner. The five player total for 18 holes was Orcas 561, La Conner 639. Jessica Gudgell and Tara O’Neill shot low scores for the Lady Vikings, each medaling with a 105. Julia Bailey shot a 114, Courtney Ray a 115 and Claire O’Neill a 122.
“These young ladies have worked so hard this year,” said Olmsted. “Last year we graduated two seniors and at the start of the year we just were not sure how many or if we would have Lady Vikings golfers. These five beginners stuck through it all: the drills, the putting, chipping, the range and throughout just kept working to get better… They accomplished the unbelievable and took home league championships in just their first year of playing competitive golf. They have a bright future ahead of them and it will be so much fun to watch their progress. This is an exciting time for the school and the golf program.”
The boys’ team scored 436 against LaConner, at 457 and Friday Harbor at 500. Taylor Diepenbrock shot an 82, followed by Henri Bredouw with a 83. Spencer Sare scored an 88, Alan Coe an 89, Miles McCloskey a 94, Sam Sare a 97 and Christopher Ghazel a 102.
“This boys’ team has been so fun to watch week after week,” said Olmsted. “They completed the regular season undefeated at 10-0 and it was just fitting to take the league championship this year. They have had some close matches, but this win meant more to the whole team than anything. They have accomplished something that has not been done; they have Tri-Districts next and the Viking boys are two time defending champions. They have won the qualifying tournament for state three out of the past four years. They are all playing really good, smart golf right now and are focused on the next challenge. One match at a time, I say, and play hard but always have fun. Golf is such an individual sport that for a team to do as well as these players have both boys and girls, they all have to be focused at the right time to do well. They have proven they can give it their best and be proud of how they played. They have had a fantastic season. Words cannot express how I feel about this 2010 boys and girls team. This has been a team effort all year long, and it will continue at districts and state… They all have done an amazing job. Hard work does pay off, they have proven that to all of us.”
Contributed by coach Bobby Olmsted.
