Chiefs encouraged by early scores

KENNEWICK — With the beginning of Columbia Basin Big Nine POD play the Moses Lake Chiefs girls’ golf team has a starting point to build off of.

At the Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, the Chiefs finished 10th on Monday and that is where they stand with four more POD tournaments left to play.

Moses Lake’s four scorers were Jacy Jones (94), Vanessa Goodwin (102), Kristi Brown (123) and Brandi Marquart (127).

“I am very excited about Jacy Jones breaking 100 for the first time and finishing in the top 15,” Chiefs coach Lonnie Brown said. “Also, I am very excited that as a team we finished in 10th out of 15 teams.  That is our highest finish in three years at a pod.  I think we still have room to improve and maybe jump up a couple more places.”

Moses Lake recorded a team score off 446, a total of 42 strokes behind fifth-place Kamiakin (404).

Richland won the POD with a 362.

Grandview Invite results

SUNNYSIDE — The early season surge by the Othello boys golf team continues as the Huskies won the Grandview Invitational at the Black Rock Creek Country Club on Monday.

The Huskies took first out of 18 teams with a score of 336, beating out East Valley (Yakima)(351) and the West Valley JV (Spokane)(358).

Warden finished fourth with a 362, while other Columbia Basin schools Royal finished with a 384 and Quincy a 474.

Othello was led by Jared Kummer’s 81 on the Par 72 course, while Dylan Jahns finished with an 82, including a back nine 39.

Sam Para completed his round with an 83 and Trevor Salisbury brought in the Huskies’ fourth score with a 90.

“We’re always happy getting first place in a tournament but our kids didn’t bring their ‘A’ game,” Othello coach Sam Rocha said. “The golfers have been struggling with parts of their game and that’s what is frustrating them right now.  We’re scrambling to save par but I have to give them credit.  They could have easily given up because they have really high expectations for themselves.  But they’re competitors and grind it out.”

Warden was led by Natt Stott’s 84 as he ended the day with a back-nine 40, and Brandon Wurzer’s 86.

Caleb Caballero finished with a 95 and Trent Bates a 97 to complete the squad’s 362 score.

Royal head coach Andrew Perkins saw his team struggle but is encouraged.

“The kids struggled but it is still early,” Perkins said. “Trevor Iverson had a good match on Friday and Keyle Spartveit had two bad holes and struggled with his swing all day but still posted a score in the 80’s. We have good balance this year. The team that comes to play that day will win.”

Spartveit led the Knights with an 88 and Iverson chipped in with an 89, finishing with a back-nine 40.

Kris Rice bounced back with a 53 front nine and wrapped up a round of 96 with a strong final nine holes.

Cody Jarrett was Royal’s fourth scorer with a 111.

Quincy’s Brian Evens led the Jacks with a 112.