MOTHER NATURE APPEARS to be taking her sweet time in breaking the 50-degree barrier, let alone transitioning to anything resembling a true spring day.
Plants and trees are on board for a little change in climate, as I’ve seen some in-bloom rhododendrons, daffodils and cherry trees straining for evasive sunlight.
It’s not fun to play golf in a cold, driving rain but high school golfers around the North Olympic Peninsula have been practicing in similar weather since the final week of February.
This week I will look at the Chimacum and Port Townsend high school golf teams before checking in next week with reports from Sequim and Port Angeles.
Chimacum Cowboys (1A)
Head coach: The dean of Peninsula golf coaches, Mitch Black, returns for his 35th season in charge of the Cowboys.
Returners: Nathan Browning (Jr.); Kevin Miller (Jr.); Riley Downs (Soph.); Dan Rasmussen, (Soph.).
Top Newcomer: Jack Hilt (Fresh.)
Hilt, the son of Discovery Bay Men’s Club co-captain Marc Hilt, has impressed Black so far.
“He has a really good head for golf and some really good fundamentals,” Black said.
Outlook: Chimacum’s top players spent time learning the game with Cowboys grad and Discovery Bay golf pro Mark Wurtz last summer.
“Browning strikes the ball very well and Miller and Riley have shown a great deal of improvement,” Black said.
Browning picked up a hole-in-one over the summer at Discovery Bay, with his dad, Scott, witnessing the shot.
“I always want to get someone to state and have someone do well at state, but it’s just fun to watch someone develop into a competitive golfer and learn a life-long skill,” Black said.
Prediction: With no seniors, Chimacum is positioning itself very nicely for a strong run in the next few years.
This year it will probably be a stretch for them to qualify enough players as a team for state but I would bet Browning, Miller and Hilt have a chance to compete as individuals.
Coincidentally, the 1A state tournament will be played at the Home Course, designed by the owner/course architect of Chimacum’s home track, Discovery Bay Golf Club, Michael Asmundson.
Port Townsend (1A)
■ Head coach: Gabriel Tonan is back for his 12th year at the helm. He’s the longest-tenured coach at the high school, and his teams have more state appearances than any other at Port Townsend since 2000.
■ Returners: Gabe Hensley (Sr.); Harry Doyle (Soph.); Grayson Pennell (Soph.).
■ Top newcomers: Freshman girls golfer Riley Fukano.
Fukano is the lone girls golfer for Port Townsend and had never played golf before the season started.
“She’s improving every day,” Tonan said.
“Last week she got her first par and didn’t get excited because she [is so new to golf, she] didn’t know what par was.”
■ Player to watch: Hensley.
“He’s a good all-around player who has been working hard on his short game and getting a lot better,” Tonan said.
Hensley has made state twice and is looking to stick around for the second day at state this year.
“He should make it to state, and he’s working to qualify for the Egbers invite,” Tonan said.
Egbers is an elite boys tournament at Skagit Valley Country Club in May.
■ Outlook: This is the lowest turnout in Tonan’s history at Port Townsend, just four boys golfers and one girls golfer came out for the team this spring.
A move to Las Vegas and an academic issue left Port Townsend without its two top players from 2011.
This year the Redskins won’t be able to compete for team points in Olympic League matches but each player can work at refining their games in advance of district tournament play.
“It’s going to be preparation, getting their swing ready for districts and having everyone able to break 50 consistently,” Tonan said.
Prediction: Tonan did say that he has already seen some dramatic improvement from his younger players and is excited about their progress.
I’ll wager Hensley makes the cut at state and takes a top-30 finish this year.
The younger players are probably a year away from competing seriously at districts.
Gutbuster Saturday
SkyRidge’s signature tournament, the Gut Buster, will be held on Saturday.
The event will include the unveiling of the course’s new tee boxes.
The format is individual medal play, and the entry is $65 per player.
Included in the fee are golf, lunch, range balls, honey pot and KP prizes.
There will be two divisions with gross and net winners in each.
Players in the tournament also will have one free practice round available on Thursday or Friday before the tournament.
For more information, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Kiwanis benefit set
Port Townsend Golf Club will host the 16th annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 31.
The tourney will tee off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Entry fee is $40 for members, $45 for guests and includes tournament comp, greens fees, KP, long putt and lunch.
For more information, phone Port Townsend at 360-385-4547.
Sponsor/play in event
A benefit tournament to support the Sequim High School class of 2012’s safe and sober Grad Night Party will be held at Sequim’s SunLand Golf & Country Club on Saturday, April 21.
The four-man scramble event will have a 1 p.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $65 per person.
If you want to help the cause but would rather not play, there are three levels of sponsorship available: Gold for $500, Silver for $250 and Bronze for a flat donation.
If you are playing or sponsoring, make checks payable to: Sequim Education Foundation in care of Jo Anne Estes, P.O. Box 1813, Sequim, WA 98382.
Merchants League link
It’s not too late to join Merchants Leagues around the North Olympic Peninsula.
My column with info on these leagues is available at tinyurl.com/MerchantsLg.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or at pdngolf@gmail.com.