Four players shoot in 70’s

By KEVIN ENDEJAN

Sports editor

If the season follows the trend the Oak Harbor boys golf team set in its first match, special things are on the horizon for the Wildcats.

“This was a good start,” OHHS head coach John Matzen said. “Four scores in the 70’s is a good thing.”

Playing in fairly calm conditions, Oak Harbor claimed its first match of 2006 on Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats tallied a team score of 397 at Whidbey Golf and Country Club, beating Monroe (402), Everett (459) and South Whidbey (469).

“We expect to play well on our home course,” Matzen said. “Having success early helps to reinforce the practice habits we are developing.”

Sophomore Josh Whitley led the Wildcats in the number four position, shooting a 5-over-par. His score of 77 was three strokes behind the medalist, Matt Epstein of Monroe.

Other Wildcats having strong days were senior Matt Holmly (78), junior AJ Davis (78) and senior Robert Tercero (79). Freshman Phil Reedy (85) and junior Brent Fakkema (93) rounded out the field for the Wildcats.

Asked if he was surprised by anyone’s performance, Matzen said he knows his team is capable of putting forth similar efforts every time they step on a course.

“I have seven players capable of playing at a high level,” he said.

Oak Harbor’s next match is 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 28 at Whidbey Golf and Country Club against Kamiak, Snohomish and Arlington. This is the second straight match OHHS will play on its home course to start the season.

“WG&CC is a good golf course,” Matzen said. “It is also a dry course this time of year.

Other teams like to come here because the course is dry and the greens are good.”

Oak Harbor- Whitley 77, Holmly 78, Davis 78, Tercero 79, Reedy 85. Monroe-Epstein 74 (medalist), Warmekl 80 , Claybrook 82, Gorman 80, Hanson 86. Everett-Silverman 92, Barhonavich 83, Buckles 95, Singh 91, Larsen 98. South Whidbey-Blakey 82, Kamps 78, Conner 99, Barrow 103, Sarbaugh 107.