Camp’S Rally Brings Him District Title Ferris Senior Golfer Shares Spotlight With Mead’S Sophomore Threesome

Ryan Camp had better success as the chaser rather than the chased.

Camp, a Ferris High senior, shot a 2-underpar 68 at Liberty Lake Golf Course on Monday to earn medalist honors at the boys District 8 4A tournament.

Camp finished the two-day event at 140, two strokes better than first-round leader David Fern of Mead. Camp tied Central Valley junior Marty Nauert for the day’s best round.

Fern, playing in the same threesome as Camp, birdied the first hole to take a three-shot lead.

Camp knows something about three-shot leads at district. He led Ferris teammate Reid Hatley, now at University of Arizona, by three strokes heading into the final nine holes at last year’s tournament. Hatley rallied to edge Camp by a stroke.

This time, Camp did the comeback routine. He birdied Nos. 6, 8 and 11 before a double-bogey on the long par-5 12th. Camp all but sealed the win with a 35-foot birdie putt on No. 16 for a two-shot lead.

“I made some putts today for the first time in a month,” Camp said. “I made everything inside 5-6 feet, which is good for me these days.”

Camp qualified for his fourth consecutive state tournament. When the 2003 season rolls around, three Mead golfers might say the same.

Mead freshmen Eric Hastings, Matt Jorgensen and Tom McAndrews all finished in the top 10 to join their teammate, Fern, at state. The Panthers’ four berths are twice as many as Ferris, the defending state champ.

“It’ll be fun,” said veteran Panthers coach Paul Peters, who led Mead to state titles from 1991-93. “If you look over and watch them, they’re on the same team but they act like brothers. That can really help, for one shot here and there.”

Defending state champion Corey Prugh of Ferris just squeaked by in qualifying for state. Prugh, who shot a 76 during Wednesday’s opener at Wandermere, fired a 71 to tie McAndrews and East Valley’s Jared Taylor for eighth place at 147. CV senior Nik Armitage (148) missed the cut by one.

Ferris defeated Mead for the team title during the regular season, but Prugh and Camp were the only Ferris golfers to make state.

Camp faltered early in the season and finished just ninth in GSL scoring average.

“I was just a head case, pretty much,” Camp said. “I didn’t want to be at the golf course. I was always in a bad mood. I don’t think I’m hitting the ball much better, but I’m at the point where I want to play again.”

State veteran Matt Kodama of Mt. Spokane couldn’t quite overcome his first-round 78. The University of Hawaii-bound Kodama finished tied for 12th.

Camp, Prugh, Nauert, Fern and Gonzaga Prep senior Dan Potter all made state in 1999. Lewis and Clark senior Bill Witte was Monday’s other state qualifier.

“There’s great depth in this league,” Peters said. “We had 30 kids average under 80, so you know to make it to state you have to step it up.”

The state event will be played Monday and Tuesday at Sudden Valley Golf Course in Bellingham.

Aaron Azzarito of Kettle Falls shot a 38 on the back nine and finished at 10-over 82 to lead qualifying at the boys District 7 1A tournament at Hangman Valley Golf Course.

Freeman won the team title and sent Beau Bishop and Eric Dixon to the state tournament at Homestead Golf and Country Club in Lynden. The tournament is Monday and Tuesday.

Davenport’s Rob Anderson fired an even-par 72 to win the boys District 7/9 tournament, also at Hangman. SpragueHarrington’s Colin Floyd placed second with a 77. TekoaOakesdale won the team title and advanced Anthony Buergel to the state tournament at North Bellingham Golf Course. The tournament is Monday and Tuesday.

Jackie Evans of Almira/Coulee-Hartline shot a 10-over 82 to win the District 7/9 1A/B tournament at The Fairways. Ritzville’s Jessica Cox and St. JohnEndicott’s Annie Kjack tied for second, nine strokes back. SJE won the team title and advanced five golfers to the state tournament at Shuksan Golf Course in Bellingham. The tournament is Monday and Tuesday.