Moses Lake's McDougall, Gleed qualify for 4A golf tournament
Whittle's round of 81 stops senior short of state
YAKIMA — Junior Zac McDougall and sophomore Rick Gleed qualified for next week's state meet as the Moses Lake Chiefs boys golf team finished third at the Columbia Basin League district championships on Tuesday.
The meet format required the field to play 36 holes on Tuesday, with a morning round taking place at Yakima Elks Golf Course and an afternoon round at Appletree Golf Course. McDougall was fifth among individuals, shooting a two-round total of 149 (6 over par). Gleed had perhaps his best outing of the season, finishing with an 8-over-par 151 for seventh.
"I was very proud of the performances as 36 holes in one day is a grind," Moses Lake coach JR Cox said. "The weather was warm and a lot of players started to struggle down the stretch as the pressure and warm weather were getting to the field."
The Chiefs shot 303 as a team in the morning and 318 in the afternoon, with their total of 621 good for third behind the Walla Walla Blue Devils (603) and Pasco Bulldogs (602).
McDougall, who earned All-CBL second team honors based on regular-season point standings, was tied for the lead after shooting a 71 at the Elks course. Though he struggled at times in the afternoon, shooting a 78, Cox said he battled through with poise.
"Combined it was a wonderful set of scores for him and he is excited to have the opportunity to have a second trip to state," Cox said of McDougall.
Gleed, who was 23rd in points during the CBL regular season, probably exceeded expectations in earning one of the league's eight spots to state, May 22-23 at Bellingham's Shuksan Golf Club. He shot a 76 in the morning and a 75 in the afternoon.
"Battling through a hand injury and still being able to post the scores he did was amazing," Cox said. "He has had some great rounds this year and he was able to put two rounds together when he needed to."
While Gleed was a pleasant surprise for the Chiefs in Yakima, Cameron Whittle had a day to forget. The senior turned in a fourth-place effort among league players during the regular season and garnered a first team selection, but couldn't quite find his game Tuesday.
Whittle was in the thick of things in the morning, finishing with a 74 at the Elks. But he shot an uncharacteristic 81 at Appletree, putting him 11th overall and out of the state field. Cox said Whittle simply caught some tough breaks in the latter round.
"Golf sometimes goes like that," Cox said, "but I was proud of Cameron as he fought and battled to the end, coming up just short."
Moses Lake's other district competitors were Billy Brice, 26th with a two-round total of 170; Mike Holmes, 27th at 173; and Justin Walker, 33rd at 184. Holmes, who was 15th in the regular-season point standings, earned a spot on the All-CBL honorable mention list.
CBL district results
Top eight qualifying for state: 1. Rob Broadhead, Walla Walla, 72-70—142; 2. Brian Barton, Pasco, 71-72—143; 3. Patrick Boag, Eisenhower, 73-73—146; 4. Scott Paine, Wenatchee, 74-73—147; 5. Zac McDougall, Moses Lake, 71-78—149; 6. Elliot Smith, Pasco, 74-76—150; 7. Rick Gleed, Moses Lake, 76-75—151; 8. Ryan Goude, Walla Walla, 80-71—151.
Team standings: 1. Pasco 300-302—602; 2. Walla Walla 309-294—603; 3. Moses Lake 303-318—621; 4. Wenatchee 316-311—627; 5. Richland 326-321—647; 6. Eisenhower 348-347—695; 7. Davis 379-367—746.