Swinging for State: Eastern Oregon high school golfers aim for glory on the greens
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, May 10th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON — It all comes down to one more tournament for a slew of golf teams and players from schools across Eastern Oregon.
District tournaments wrapped up this week and now many teams are looking to tee off for a shot at a state championship.
Below is a rundown of local teams and players that will be aiming to sink their putts and bring home a title:
4A Boys
The defending state champs Baker boys are this year’s 4A District 4 golf champions and will look to win back-to-back state titles. The Bulldogs took the top five individual finishes over the two day district tournament, held in their backyard at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Baker City. Eli Long, Isaiah Jones, Jaxson Logsdon, Kaden Conklin and Palmer Chandler will represent Baker at the state tournament.
Pendleton took second at districts and the Buckaroos will send Mason Morioka,Landon Neistadt, Casey VanDorn, Cole Sazue, and Dakota Malin to state.
The boys 4A state golf tournament begins Monday, May 13 at the Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, located south of Eugene.
3A/2A/1A Boys
The Burns and Vale boys golf teams are heading to state after finishing 2nd & 3rd at districts, which was also held in Baker City. Representing the Hilanders will be Coltin Miller, Kempton Richardson, Grayden Matinak, Kaden Peasley and Jaxon Hoyt.
Teeing off for the Vikings will be Dominic Bates, Jake Ross, Charles Barrett, Awane Sigrah, and Zayne Thode,
Accompanying them will be district champion Sawyer Quinton from Prairie City. Also securing spots are Wyatt Browne of Riverside, who finished in second place, Broc Erickson of Pilot Rock in fourth place, and Miles Frank of Umatilla, who clinched fifth place.
The 3A/2A/1A boys state tournament also begins May 13 and is also being held at the Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell.
4A/3A/2A/1A Girls
La Grande is your district champion this year, after a great performance at Quail Ridge in Baker this past week. Teeing off for the Tigers at state will be – Emma Bell, Dylann Justice, Natasha Lane, Makayla Hibbert and Oleysa Forbes.
Pendleton places second and will be sending Anika Urbina, Sophie Nelson, Kori Sirovatka, Emma Ware and Brinley Curtiss to state.
Other golferettes representing local schools aiming to win a championship include district champion Tygh Timinsky from Dufur and Kimber Stein from Enterprise.
The girls 4A/3A/2A/1A tournament will be held at Tokatee Golf Course in Blue River, beginning Monday the 13th.
