All in the family for G-Prep boys at state golf tournament

Gonzaga Prep is sending two sets of brothers to the State 4A golf tournament at Liberty Lake.

The Plaster brothers took the direct route with freshman Nate winning the district tournament and junior Jack tying for second. The two-day state tournament begins Tuesday.

“I play with my brother every time I play golf pretty much,” said Nate, the Greater Spokane League player of the year. “Usually we’re just going out there and playing, but we know we’re always having a match.

“Sometimes it gets really competitive, which is fun. It’s all fun, it’s never bad.”

The Reeves qualified at regionals as junior Jack was medalist with a 74 and freshman Will (77) won a playoff to land a state berth.

“They really do root for each other and at the same time they’re competitive with each other,” coach Dennis Dougherty said. “Will struggled a bit at the end at regionals. Jack knew what Will needed to do on the last hole, he knew Will needed to make a putt.

“Jack looked like a parent watching him.”

The Bullpups could make some noise at state with four quality players operating on a familiar course. Bellarmine Prep, Dougherty’s alma mater, is the defending champion. The field of 80 is cut to 40 and ties following Tuesday’s opening round.

“We have a chance to be somewhere in the trophy count,” Dougherty said. “We just have to play both well both days. Getting guys through to the second day is the key.”

The 4A girls are at MeadowWood. Lewis and Clark led GSL schools with three qualifiers: District champ Skylar Kersten, freshman Darby Rickel and sophomore Shannon Curran.

3A

Mt. Spokane sophomore Gunnar Knutson is one of the hottest players in any classification.

Knutson prepped for state by shooting a 67 at Downriver and 66 at Indian Canyon at districts. He’ll tee off at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Columbia Point in Richland with defending champion, Fort Vancouver’s Spencer Tibbits, in the same group.

“It’s pretty short and from what I’ve heard it’s in fantastic condition,” Knutson said of Columbia Point. “One of big deals I’ve been working on lately is sharpening up my wedges. That’s going to be a big factor in who does well. I think the winner for state is going to be pretty low.”

Knutson tied for 14th last year.

“Nobody works harder than he does and nobody has a better attitude on the course. He never gets too high or too low,” coach Greg Schultz said. “It’s his second time (to state) and I expect him to place again.”

Four-time state qualifier Mitchell Weipert of Shadle Park has placed in the top 20 twice.

Mt. Spokane senior Megan Billeter, the GSL player of the year, has three top 12 finishes at state and aims to improve in her final opportunity at Canyon Lakes in Kennewick.

“I’ve played it a couple of times and I’m just hoping it’s not windy because it can be difficult,” Billeter said.

Rogers junior Emma Torres earned a state berth by winning the regional tournament. She’s just the second Pirate ever to qualify for state.

2A

Clarkston has contenders for the boys’ and girls’ individual titles.

Travis Hansen shot a two-round score of 146 to win districts by 10 shots at Qualchan, which is hosting the state tournament.

Grace Frazier, who was second at state two years ago and tied for eighth last season, won the district title by 25 strokes at Indian Canyon, site of the state tournament. Frazier has signed with Idaho.

1A boys

Freeman’s Ryan Maine rolled into state with a two-round 143 at Chewelah for a six-stroke win at the district tournament.

The Washington State University-bound Maine has twice finished runner-up at state to Cle Elum-Roslyn’s Nick Baker. Maine tees off in the first group at 7:30 a.m. at Sun Willows in Pasco. Baker follows at 7:38.

1B/2B

Davenport’s Palmer Guhlke and Kaysa Panke will attempt to defend their state titles at Horn Rapids in Richland.

Guhlke was 4-under in two rounds at districts for an 11-shot victory. Panke won the District 7 1A/1B/2B tournament by 17 shots.