Oak Harbor’s Eric McCardle saved some of his best golf for the end of the season, unfortunately he was left just shy of a state tournament berth.

In need of a 15th place finish or better at the Northwest 4A District tournament at Bellingham’s Sudden Valley Golf Course, McCardle ended the second day in a tie with six others for 14th place at 159 strokes.

During a one-hole playoff Andy White of Snohomish and Alex Hedlund of Arlington both hit birdies to clinch the last two trips to state.

Wildcat golfer Stephan Steitenroth also had a strong final day of districts, shooting 79 for 160 total. He was left just one shot out of the playoff. 

“Both boys played very well representing themselves, their school and their teammates with a strong competitive effort,” OHHS head coach John Matzen said. “I am very proud of their efforts.”

The Oak Harbor boys finished in eighth place in the Western Conference with 45 points. Kamiak won the tournament with 129.5.

Of the three golfers representing the Wildcat girls, Kristi Gavigan finished the best two-day total of 220. Brittany Loveng ended with a 221 and Krystal Cooley finished with 227.

“The girls played very well,” head coach Andy Wesley said. “There were a couple of holes that had difficult pin placement that gave the girls trouble.”

According to Wesley, the Oak Harbor girls dominated hole number three, a 122-yard par three.

Loveng rolled in a 45 yard putt for birdie and Gavigan and Cooley both hit the green on their first shot and two-putted for par.

Kamiak’s Rachel Casselman won the district tournament with a 166 and helped the Knights to an overall team victory with 141.5 points.