Mt. Spokane boys in mix for state golf title

Mt. Spokane boys coach Greg Schultz says Tri-Mountain Golf Course, site of the State 3A tournament, is gorgeous.

It’s a links-style course north of Vancouver with fescue rough and stunning views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens on clear days.

“I just hope to see them again,” Schultz joked, referring to an iffy forecast – temperatures in the 50s, 70 percent chance of rain – for the 36-hole tournament that begins today. Area 3A and 4A teams and individual qualifiers are in southwest Washington for their respective state tournaments.

The Wildcats, with five qualifiers, should be in the mix for the team title. Mt. Spokane was second last year, finishing two strokes behind Southridge at Indian Canyon. The Wildcats are led by district champion Nick Thurston and Zack Spencer, who finished tied for eighth at state a year ago.

Mt. Spokane junior Sierra Bezdicek, the defending girls state champion, is pursuing a repeat at Lewis River Golf Course. Bezdicek was second in 2011 and her older sister, Savana, now at Northern Arizona, won the 2010 title.

Mt. Spokane has finished second two straight years.

Ferris brings three – Greater Spokane League player of the year Eric Ansett, district champion Tanner Comes and Parker Ruehl, who shot a pair of 74s at districts to place fourth – to the 4A boys tournament at Camas Meadows.

“It’s great to have three going,” Saxons coach Clarence Hough said. “I’m really excited about Parker. He’s had two career rounds in a row. There will be a lot of teams with four or five kids, but our three are all solid players.”

Lewis and Clark has been a perennial contender for the 4A girls championship, but the Tigers’ lone qualifier this year is sophomore standout Sierra Kersten, who placed fifth in 2012 at MeadowWood.