Playing The Same Course Levels Fairway Field For Gsl Golfers

GSL golf

Two coaches have replaced Dale Bouge at University, but Bouge will still be one of the central figures in Greater Spokane League golf this year.

The GSL has adopted a new format, with league competitions bringing together all 10 teams at one course. The old format had three teams gathering at three separate sites. (Mt. Spokane, the 10th team, joined the league last year.)

Bouge has handed over the U-Hi coaching job to Bob Finn (boys) and Lisa Stark (girls), but he won’t be home gardening during GSL events. He’ll be in charge of computing scores as the 120 players come off the course each week, starting today at Liberty Lake.

Central Valley’s boys should have some of the better scores. The Bears had the low team score during a recent nine-hole GSL practice round at The Creek at Qualchan, although the field wasn’t complete.

Grafos, Ward lead Bears

State 4A tournament veteran Michelle Grafos and another senior, Stuart Ward, are playing No. 1 for Central Valley. Grafos is a returning second-team all-league player.

“Grafos has come a long way,” said CV girls coach Rick Giampietri. “She didn’t get serious about golf until her sophomore year. She really works at it.”

Ward recently shot even-par on the front side at Downriver.

Senior Ben Asmundson plays No. 2 for the boys. Sophomores Matt Person, Marty Nauert and Trevor Ward, Stuart’s brother, are shuffling between 3-5 for boys coach Barry Poffenroth.

“You’ll probably see that lineup change a little bit because they’re all competitive,” Giampietri said.

Senior Jesse Garcia, junior Nik Armitage, and sophomores Kyle Smith and Travis Thorpe are other returners. Junior Justin Pessein and sophomore Brandon Folk are new.

Backing Grafos on the girls team are third-year players and seniors Angie Woolf and Kimi Hendrickson. Junior Lindsay Wing is in her second season. All should play in the top five.

Senior Jenny Wilson and junior Kendra Ferguson, both good basketball players, are out for the first time. Newcomer Tiffany Jones, a sophomore, will probably play top six. Juniors Maile Allen, Abbey Cwiek and Amanda Moore complete the team.

Lust tops University’s list

Jeremy Lust is the only player on U-Hi’s boys team consistently shooting in the high 70s and low 80s.

“Right now I think we’re kind of a year away,” said coach Finn, formerly the school’s girls basketball coach. “It’s a young team, with Jeremy the only senior.”

The rest of the top five, in order, looks like junior Adam Lindeblad, sophomores David Taylor and Josh Begovich and junior Randell Vansant, who attends Valley Christian.

Junior James Numata and freshman Eric Benner are vying for No. 6. Senior Tony Hatcher is also playing.

“I wish I would have done this years ago,” said Finn, who has never coached golf.

Girls coach Stark also has experience coaching girls basketball, in northeast Oregon. Stark could have her complete Titans lineup back next season.

The returners are junior Jacie Gallion and a pair of sophomores, Kimberly Ware and Erica Gunderson. Gunderson shapes up as No. 1 ahead of Gallion.

For now places 4-7 are sophomores Shelby Hughes and Dana Lukes, freshman Janae Gallion and junior Tara Evans.

“I have a very young group, obviously,” Stark said.

Underclassmen lead G-Prep

Junior Dan Potter and sophomore Lindsey Dill are set at No. 1 for the Gonzaga Prep teams. Potter was a second-team all-league selection last year.

“Potter’s very safe,” said veteran Bullpups coach Phil Kuder. “He won’t have to worry.

“Lindsey is definitely No. 1.”

Seniors Mike Wilson, at No. 2, and Todd Engstrom, No. 3, appear set on the boys team. Senior Dena Medin and sophomore Erica Heitman are right behind Dill on the girls team.

Juniors Pat King and Joe Nickol, and sophomore Cole Bennett show promise for the boys. Bennett played baseball last year.

Sophomore Ted Wissink and freshman Ben Nickol complete the boys team.