Royal's Austin Walz top golfer for South County at districts

CLE ELUM - Austin Walz of Royal produced the best score among South County golfers at the SCAC District Golf Tournament at Suncadia last week, and just missed qualifying for state.

Walz tied with three other golfers for the 12th and 13th berths to state with a 96. He rallied on the back nine with 43 after posting a front-nine 53.

However, in a four-way playoff for the final two berths to state, Walz finished third. He is the first alternate from the district.

Royal's second entry at district, Josh Solis, played a steady game to shoot 104. His splits were 53 and 51.

Also scoring 104 was Wahluke's Collin Ahmann. He had a back-nine 46 after a disastrous 58 on the front. His front nine was marred by an 11 on one hole and seven on three holes. His highest score on the back nine was six.

In the girls competition, Lauren Pratt of Royal posted a score of 122. She was the lone girl from South County. She, too, played better on the back than on the front.