Rippee Rips Into Drives

Lakeland High School senior golfer Corey Rippee has a modest goal this season. Oh, he’ll contend for league and district medalist honors. In fact, he may even challenge for a State B title.

But that would just be bonuses. Said the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Rippee: “I just want to play as well as I can.”

A starting offensive tackle for the Hawks football team last fall, Rippee is known for his length off the tee. A four-year letterman, Rippee would give up some length for a little more accuracy.

“I’d like to put better and stay in the fairway,” he said this week before a practice round at Twin Lakes Village.

Rippee is likely to play better this spring if past improvement is any indication.

As a freshman, Rippee shot in the mid- to high-90s. But he took considerable strokes off his game when he played at least a round every day the summer before his sophomore year.

That season he shot in the low 80s, then last year consistently scored in the high 70s. He’s looking to be in the mid- to low-70s this year.

The top four teams out of two state-qualifying tournaments (April 15 at Kellogg and April 29 at Bonners Ferry) and top eight individuals advance to state, which will be held May 19-20.

Inland Empire League teams qualify for state May 11 at Avondale in Hayden. The State A Tournament will be at the Lewiston Country Club May 19-20.

Tennis

Just five Panhandle teams field tennis teams - Coeur d’Alene, Lake City and Lewiston in the A division and Falls Christian and Moscow in the B.

The divisions will hold their state-qualifying tournaments May 19-20 at Lewiston. State will be held May 26-27 at Sun Valley.