Hatley’S Back-Nine Birdie Binge Seals Title Ferris Star Nips Teammate Camp To Win District 8 4A Tournament

Many golfers complain that they can’t buy a birdie on the back nine at The Creek at Qualchan.

Reid Hatley went on a birdie shopping spree Wednesday.

Hatley shot a 4-under-par 32 on Qualchan’s back nine to take the boys District 8 4A title from his Ferris teammate, Ryan Camp, by one stroke.

Hatley, a senior, birdied Nos. 10, 12, 13, 16 and 18. He two-putted from 25 feet at the par-5 18th to clinch the win. Camp, playing in the final foursome with Hatley, also birdied 18.

Hatley finished the day at 2-under 70, Camp at 71. Both entered the day tied for the lead after shooting 68s Monday during the Inland Empire Tournament at Indian Canyon Golf Course.

“We both knew, in the back of our minds, how each of us stood,” Hatley said. “We’re really good friends, so it was competitive but friendly.”

Gonzaga Prep junior Dan Potter shot a final-round 72 to finish at 142, four behind Hatley. Ferris’ Corey Prugh, a junior like Camp, placed fourth at 144.

The top 10 individuals qualified for the May 24-25 State 4A tournament at Three Rivers Golf Course in Kelso.

Ferris advanced four golfers, putting it in prime position to compete for the state title with the likes of Kamiakin and Kennewick. Ferris placed second last year, when it also advanced four.

“If we don’t do anything stupid, I think we should be all right,” said Hatley, who tied for sixth place at state last year with Camp.

Saxons coach Clarence Hough was more to the point.

“If we play like we’ve played all year, we should be able to win the state championship,” he said.

Hatley made the turn at 2-over on Wednesday, three behind Camp. “On the front side, I couldn’t get anything done on the greens even though I had hit well,” Hatley said. “I was a little frustrated at the turn. I knew I had to do something quick.”

Despite windy conditions that Hatley called the worst he’d played in this season, the birdies starting piling up. Hatley took the lead when he parred 14 and Camp three-putted for a bogey.

“Deep down, the kids compete against themselves,” Hough said. “There’s a lot of sportsmanship involved.”

G-Prep and Central Valley advanced two golfers apiece to state. Mead and Mt. Spokane will send one apiece.

Mead sophomore David Fern made the day’s biggest jump, shooting a 73 to move from a tie for 15th to eighth.

G-Prep senior Mike Wilson was the other golfer who qualified for state after beginning the day out of the top 10.

Other state qualifiers were Mt. Spokane junior Matt Kodama, CV sophomore Marty Nauert, CV senior Stuart Ward and Ferris senior Michael Hastings.

GSL girls play their state-qualifying round this afternoon at MeadowWood Golf Course.

LEADERBOARD On to state 1. Reid Hatley (Fer) 138 2. Ryan Camp (Fer) 139 3. Dan Potter (Gonzaga Prep) 142 4. Corey Prugh (Fer) 144 5. Matt Kodama (Mt. Spokane) 146 6. Marty Nauert (Central Valley) 150 7. Stuart Ward (CV) 151 8. David Fern (Mead) 152 9. Michael Hastings (Fer) 153 10. Mike Wilson (GP) 158