Ephrata golf earns share of title
TOPPENISH — For the first time in at least seven years, the Ephrata Tigers can call themselves district golf champions.
Ephrata's boys, which won the Central Washington Athletic Conference regular-season title, shot 349 as a team and shared co-champion honors with the Selah Vikings Monday at Mt. Adams Golf Course.
The Tigers also have three players headed for state competition next Tuesday and Wednesday in Bellingham, the most head coach Greg Hewitt said he can recall having during his tenure.
"I don't think Ephrata's ever won districts, that I'm aware of," he added.
Ephrata's accomplishment was due in large part to a pair of state meet veterans, Austin Key and Matt Pixlee. Key shot a 6-over-par 78 on Monday, good for second place, while Pixlee battled his way to an 86 and a three-way tie for eighth. The top 16 scorers, plus one alternate, qualify for state.
The Tigers also got a pleasant surprise when senior Justin Scheib, a four-year golfer, rose up and turned in a round of 88, good for 13th place alongside Quincy's Kevin Beirsner. This will be Scheib's first trip to state.
"He has a good, solid, smart game," Hewitt said of Scheib. "He doesn't get himself a lot of times in trouble."
Key's biggest strength might be experience, Hewitt said, which could be a plus during a two-day tournament that figures to see plenty of ups and downs for everyone.
"If he gets down or something happens, he'll still battle back," Hewitt said of key.
The Tigers leave for Bellingham on Sunday and will play a practice round Monday. Hewitt said the main thing his guys need to do is get comfortable with the unfamiliar surroundings at Bellingham Golf and Country Club. He thinks the greens will be a guessing game, at least early on, and the ball might not travel as far in the heavier air, something that could affect a guy like Pixlee, whom Hewitt said has the best driver out of the threesome.
"We don't really know what to expect, whether it's fast or slow," Hewitt said. "It'll be interesting to play over there."
Other Ephrata district results included Cameron Allen's 97, Chase Millard's 97 and a 112 from Steven Criss.
While Beirsner will be Quincy's only state representative, Othello sends two — Jason Brault and Brandon Hoksbergen. Both shot an 86 at districts.
Other Quincy district results included Kent Law (92), Kevin Hille (97), Michael Evens (107), Kyle Arnall (116) and Chase Henne (120). The Jacks finished eighth in the 10-team field with 384 strokes.
Othello's other competitors were Austin Eliot (93), Peter Anderson (95), Reuben Lopez (101) and Thomas Lackie (106). The Huskies finished in fifth at 360.
District 5/6 results
Top 16 individuals qualifying for state: 1. Adam Story, Toppenish, 72; 2. Austin Key, Ephrata, 78; 3. Ben Firmin, Ellensburg, 82; 4. Jerid Leighty, Prosser, 83; T-5. Zach Mauch, Toppenish, 85; T-5. Zack Heaton, Ellensburg, 85; T-5. JJ Wood, Selah, 85. T-8. Jason Brault, Othello, 86; T-8. Matt Pixlee, Ephrata, 86; T-8: Brandon Hoksbergen, Othello, 86; T-11. Jared Brink, Selah, 87; T-11. RJ Gunner, Selah, 87; T-13. Kevin Beirsner, Quincy, 88; T-13. Justin Scheib, Ephrata, 88; 15. Mark Hancock, Prosser, 89; 16. Jimmy Wood, Selah, 90. Alternate: Matt Dillenger, East Valley-Yakima, 90.