Peters shoots personal best 70 to lead Ephrata girls golfers to CWAC victory

SOAP LAKE — Ephrata junior Kenedee Peters watched her three-foot putt for par roll toward the cup on the par-3 seventh hole at Lakeview Golf and Country Club Thursday afternoon. It had a little right-to-left break in it, tracked right up the lip, then defied gravity and spun out.

The 2A state runner-up, who’s verbally to Washington State University, shrugged it off and went on to the next where she finished up the front with an even-par 35. Peters shot 1-under on the back for a personal low round of 70 on the course where the 2A District 5-6 tournament will be played in two weeks. She loves golf, even with all its fickle quirks.

“Right now, I am hands down playing the best I’ve ever played,” she said with a smile that said just shot 70 and it could have been 68. “I’ve gained 15 yards off the tee this season with a new driver and working really, really hard on the fundamentals and mechanics of my game.”

Peters’ round of 70 led the Tigers (389) to a CWAC victory over Quincy (448) and Toppenish (544).

Quincy freshman Stacia Starty chipped in three times during her round of 93 to finish second in the individual standings. Jacks teammate Marlo Omlin was third with a 98.

“I was having trouble getting off the tee today. I would have probably shot a lot better,” said Starty, who shot 46-46-93. “Around the green was great because I had three go in, so that helped. I think it helps that districts are going to be here, now I know the course.”

Home field advantage in golf isn’t exactly like the 12th Man at CenturyLink Field, but playing a big tournament on the home course is an advantage as far as Peters is concerned.

“I’ve never been able to go low out here even though it’s my home course. So to shoot 70 shows how much my game’s improved,” said Peters, whose previous best was 74. “I definitely think it’s an advantage to play districts here because we’ve already played it twice this season.”

Lakeview Golf & Country Club was in immaculate condition and temperatures reached 85. The girls golf teams couldn’t have dialed in better conditions.

Ephrata No. 2 Isabel Buchert played with the No. 1 group, finishing with a round of 101 and teammate Janessa Johnson carded 106.

“My 2-3-4-5 are all shooting around the same and it goes back and forth,” said Tigers coach Heidi Burns. “We’re playing pretty well as a team. My No. 5 girl Janessa shot a 51 on the back, so she’s getting better. If my other four girls can get under 110, they can make it to state.”

The last time Peters and the Baum sisters from East Valley went head-to-head in a big tournament it was a shootout for the ages last year at the 2A state tournament at Columbia Point in Richland.

Morgan Baum and Peters went shot-for-shot to the end. Baum fired a remarkable 3-under-par 69 on the final day. Peters was the 2A state runner-up by a single stroke, shooting 71 on the final round. Shelby Baum was seventh overall.

It’s a new day and Peters has a better game, besides the Baum girls are coming to Soap Lake for the 2A District 5-6 tournament on May 15 and the Columbia Basin will see girls golf at its best.

“The key is to stay focused. I’ve been undefeated this whole high school season,” Peters said. “I love the competition, so to have Morgan and Shelby (Baum) coming here. I don’t have the pressure on my shoulders, Morgan does because she’s the defending state champion. I’m confident in my game and know what I have. I just need to go out and play.”

Team scores: 1. Ephrata, 389. 2. Quincy, 448. 3. 544

Ephrata - Kenedee Peters 35-35-70; Isabel Buchert 51-50-101; Chole Mickelsen 58-56-114; Emmie Dilling 59-53-112; Janessa Johnson 55-51-106

Quincy - Stacia Sarty 46-47-93; Marlo Omlin 49-49-98; Chloe Ovenell 62-66-128; Anai Flores 61-68-129; Lara Madre 78-67-145

Toppenish - Brianna Sampson 63-56-119; Jackie Luna 68-63-131; Kaitland Moses 79-77-156; Alexis Gonzalez 74-64-138