OH defends home course

Three Cats shoot under 80

Wind gusts of 20 mph tore across Whidbey Golf and Country Club Thursday afternoon, but that didn’t faze the Oak Harbor boys golf team.

The Wildcats won a four-team meet with Cascade, Everett and Lake Stevens, tallying a low score of 403.

“To get three scores in the 70s on cold windy day, I was really pleased with the boys’ performances,” head coach John Matzen said.

Everett (417), Lake Stevens (430) and Cascade (444) rounded out the field.

Matt Holmly led the way for Oak Harbor, shooting a team-low 76, four over par 72. Number-three golfer Joe Ahn and number-five golfer AJ Davis both shot 79s.

Matzen credits the Wildcats’ success to feeling comfortable on their home course.

“Home course is definitely an advantage,” he said. “We’re much more comfortable here at Whidbey.”

Wes Loveng (83), Josh Whitley (86) and John Ahn (91) rounded out the field for Oak Harbor.

“It’s kind of like the Sonics or the Huskies,” Matzen said of his golfers. “You never know who’s going to step up — our order seems to change every day.”

Everett’s Jacob Koppenberg took medalist honors on Thursday, shooting an impressive 68, four under par.

“Jacob’s a quality player,” Matzen said. “He’s going to do very well for the University of Idaho.”

Oak Harbor competed in Mukilteo Tuesday afternoon and finished fourth in a four-team meet with Kamiak, Snohomish and Arlington. The Wildcats shot a team score of 447, while Snohomish won the meet at 392.

Matzen hopes the Wildcats will soon be able to carry some of success they’ve had at home on the road with them.

“We have some maturity issues we need to work on in terms of playing away from home,” he said.

The Wildcats have their next meet after spring break, Monday, March 11, at the Tom Dolan Invitational at Everett Golf and Country Club.