Swinging for Success: Baker boys golf team aims to defend state title
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — The upcoming season for the Baker High School boys golf team is not one of rebuilding.
Call it reloading.
The Baker Boys bring back all of its players from last year’s state championship-winning team.
That includes a majority of players who are fresh off of winning the state championship in basketball for the Bulldogs.
“They’re obviously still enjoying the title in basketball, but they’re now all focused on golf and ready to go,” said Head Coach Mike Long.
Those players fresh off the basketball court include junior Isaiah Jones, junior Jaxon Logsdon, junior Palmer Chandler, junior Grant Gambleton and sophomore Eli Long. Jones, Long and Logsdon all finished in the top-ten in the individual standings at last year’s state golf tournament, with Jones finishing third overall.
Also returning is Kaden Conklin, who’s the lone senior on the team. Conklin has signed to play golf at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton.
“We have a very good squad again, but like everything in sports, nothing is automatic and nothing is given. We’re going to have to work hard,” said Long. “When you’re dealing with golf and teenagers, anything can happen.”
The Bulldogs begin their state championship defense this week, with a tournament over in Redmond at Eagle Crest Resort.
“This is a fun group of guys. Even though a lot of them just finished playing basketball, they have the right mindset for golf and they’re pretty steady,” said Long.
