Cascade boys and girls golfers earn wins over Chelan, Okanogan

The Cascade boys’ golf team, finally able to play on their home course, hosted Quincy on April 25. The boys were trying to avenge their only loss of the season, but fell just short, losing 355-358.

Tim Wells and Brendan Van Diest of Quincy shot 83 to tie for low score. Van Diest won the first playoff, sinking a 12-foot putt for par. 

Wells’ round consisted of nine pars and one birdie. 

“Tim had just a couple bad holes that kept him from breaking that magic 80 mark. It will be soon. We were all looking forward to this match. Quincy had put slight whuppin on us in our first match of the season,” said Cascade Head Coach Randy Alexander. “We hadn’t even hardly practiced on grass when we played them. The beat us by 50 strokes. So we were slightly stoked to get them up at our house and in the confines of our trees.”

Alexander said Quincy is one of the best teams in the CWAC. Their three best golfers shoot in the low 80s, which is pretty good. Bryson Murdock and Garrett Halseth both carded 89s and Bruce Ledbeter-Gibbs followed with a 97 to finish out the Kodiak scoring.

For the girls, Jacelyn Bain led the team with a 107. Freshman Emma Halseth shot 114 and Maddie Hontou shot 122. 

“Emma has been improving every week and and I had approached her about playing up. She didn’t hesitate too long and agreed right away. We, the coaches, all knew it was time. She had been shooting mid-low 50s in practice. Now it was time to put it all together for 18 holes. She didn’t let me down. She played very well for her first time out,” Alexander said. 

Cascade hosted Chelan and Okanogan on April 27. The Kodiak boys and girls won against Chelan and Okanogan. However, the Chelan girls were without their three best golfers and the Okanogan boys were short due to transportation issues. 

For the boys, Cascade shot 362, Chelan 401, Okanogan 561. For the girls, Cascade shot 458, Chelan 507. 

“I downplay this match score because Chelan’s finest didn’t show on this day. They have the best golfer in the league and she stayed home. We will see them in an all CTL league match in a couple weeks,” Alexander said of the girls match. 

Also playing varsity for the girls was freshman Natalie Craig, which gave the Kodiaks four varsity golfers, enough to score as a team. 

“Natalie has been steadily improving all season, and again, the coaches felt it was time. Natalie was quite nervous to start out but finished with a 137 for her first 18 hole score. This is just the beginning for her and this young group of girls,” Alexander said. 

Alexander said it was his goal at the start of the season to bring some freshman girls up to varsity so they can score as a team and give Chelan a run for the league and district title. 

“The other three, Victoria Driscoll, Anna Russell and Alexa Rodgers are not too far behind. Next year there will be a lot of competition, something that we haven’t had for awhile on the girls team,” Alexander said. 

Bain was the medalist with a season best 98. Hontou shot 107, Halseth 116 and Craig 137. 

For the boys, Murdock was medalist with a fine 84. 

“Bryson is becoming the most consistent player on the boys’ side. Usually it’s a shootout between him and Tim Wells each match for team low score,” Alexander said. “Tim struggled with his front nine this day but came  back on the back to shoot a final 96. Not good for him, but such is golf. Tim is a very strong player and will continue to strive to be the best he can be.”

Garrett Halseth continued his solid play for the Kodiaks with an 88. Bruce Ledbeter-Gibbs and Carter Welch shot 95. 

Cascade played their final home match of the season on May 2 against Okanogan and Omak. Results were unavailable before press time. The Kodiaks are on the road to Omak on May 4. 

The All CTL Tournament is May 9 at Chelan. 

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.