Seven golfers head to bi-district at Fort Lewis
To understand first-year golfer Megan Cuomo’s accomplishment at the district tournament Thursday at Avalon … well, let’s set the scene so you can stand in her place and feel your pulse quicken.
You’re a rookie and the only female representing Friday Harbor; King’s has a field of six, each with her own coach and her own gallery. King’s is just one of five teams represented.
You’re golfing at Avalon, host site of the 1994 and 2001 US Open Qualifier, with par 4s that demand accuracy and adequate distance off the tees. Advancing to the bi-district tournament, the next step on the road to state, rests on 18 holes of accurate approach shots to greens that are narrow and undulating.
It was a challenge to Cuomo’s focus and discipline that she mastered, shooting 89 to defeat all female competitors at the tournament.
Cuomo warmed up before the game, putting and chipping with Coach Bryan Germain. She bogeyed early in the game after hitting into the trees, but she shook it off.
“Bryan told me to take it shot by shot,” she said. “I started hitting pretty good. I had a lot of birdie opportunities and got three pars in a row on the back nine — on 5, 6 and 7. I just had to keep calm out there.”
The Friday Harbor contingent — Cuomo and six others — all advanced to the bi-district tournament; the top 21 golfers qualified.
The bi-district tournament was Tuesday at Fort Lewis. Results were unavailable at press time. Visit SanJuanJournal.com Sports.
On the men’s side Thursday, junior Jordyn Taylor shot 75 to finish second; junior Cody Price shot 76 to finish third; and senior Sam Pouillon shot 78 to tie for fourth. Seniors Tug Turnage and Micah Reitan shot 94. Tyler McKee shot 98.
The most dramatic turnarounds came from Price and Turnage. Price shot a 6-over 42 on the front nine, then recovered to finish with a 2-under 34 on the back nine. Turnage shot 56 on the front nine, but shook it off and finished with a 2-over 38 to qualify for bi-district.
“It was the best round of golf he’s ever had,” Germain said of Turnage.
Germain was impressed with his team’s performance against King’s. “We were right there with them. Last year, King’s sent six players to state, we sent one. So, our golf program has definitely improved.”
