Prep golf: Greater Spokane League hopes to earn more state golf berths under new qualifying format

The path to the 4A and 3A state golf tournaments has changed and several Greater Spokane League coaches hope there’s more change to come.

The District 8 tournaments have determined state berths in recent years. Last year, 3A boys played for five state berths, the girls six. In 4A, girls and boys each competed for eight spots.

A one-day regional tournament has been introduced this year. The top district finishers still qualify for state – three 3A boys, three 3A girls, four 4A boys, five 4A girls – but the next six placers in each category advance to regionals next week against the same number of competitors from the Mid-Columbia Conference.

At stake, four state berths for 3A boys, four for 3A girls, six four 4A boys and six for 4A girls. Depending on the results, the GSL could come out with a few more state berths or a few less compared to previous years.

“I think it bodes well for the GSL,” Gonzaga Prep coach Dennis Dougherty said. “We’ve played with the Tri-Cities teams down there and up here. They definitely have some good players, but the GSL has some potential to get a couple of extra spots.

“It’s different than what we’ve done. I’m OK with it. Our guys like to compete.”

Several coaches adjusted their lineups during the GSL regular season to try to boost their postseason numbers.

“I’ll tell you in a couple weeks,” said Mt. Spokane girls coach Ryan Nelson, when asked if he likes the new format. “Ultimately, the goal is to get the best golfers out of the region to state. I wish it (regionals) was 36 holes. We’ll see how it goes with 18.”

There has been a push to change qualifying to the team system used by most states that still allows for top individuals to reach state.

“We presented an extremely strong plan, but it was voted down at the third reading at the (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) level,” Lewis and Clark girls coach Michelle Grafos said. “We’re hoping they’ll look at it again next year.

“We’re one of the few states that don’t have teams qualifying for state.”

Round one recap

LC’s Skylar Kersten, G-Prep’s Nate Plaster and Mt. Spokane’s Megan Billeter and Gunnar Knutson are the leaders midway through the District 8 tournaments.

In 3A, GSL girls player of the year Billeter shot an 84 at Downriver on Monday to take a six-stroke lead over Shadle Park’s Olivia Clarke. The Wildcats have seven in the top 12.

Knutson fired a 67 for a nine-shot lead over North Central’s Grant McDonald and Shadle’s Mitchell Weipert and Sam Pauly.

Plaster, the GSL boys player of the year, shot a 70 at MeadowWood to build a three-shot lead over teammate Will Reeves and Mead’s Nick Muxlow in 4A boys. It’s a crowded leaderboard as three players shot 74s and six had 75s.

Kersten (78) holds a three-stroke edge over University’s Courtney Jackson. G-Prep teammates Hannah Rieckers and Jordan Jaeger share third at 84.

The final round is Wednesday at Indian Canyon.

Idaho 5A roundup

Post Falls captured the Region I boys title with a score of 325 Monday at Lewiston Country Club.

The Trojans and second-place Coeur d’Alene (329) advance to state next week. The Vikings’ Chase Mitchell was medalist with a 74.

Lake City, led by medalist Emily Dodge, won the girls title. LC and Post Falls qualified for state.