Cascade golfers battle the best in the state

Two Cascade golfers made the cut at the State 1A Golf Tournament last week in the Tri-Cities, juniors Tim Wells and Maddie Hontou. Wells shot 85 and 90 to finish 37th. Hontou shot 96 and 94 to finish 24th. 

Cascade Head Coach Randy Alexander was hoping to qualify at least two of his three boys for the second day at the Sun Willows Golf Course. A team needs at least two in order to score as a team. 

“Garrett Halseth shoots 88 to miss the cut by three and Bryson Murdock shoots 94 to finish up the scoring for the Kodiaks. Sun Willows was in great condition for the tourney. The boys played well in their practice round, so they all felt good for the next day. It was a hot one,” Alexander said. 

No wind, 95 degrees, was by far the hottest day of the year for Cascade golfers. There was plenty of water on the course. 

“Tim was really hoping to improve his score of 85 for the next day. This was Tim’s second year at State, he missed the cut last year. He just couldn’t get it going with his putter and finished with a 90,” Alexander said. 

Nick Baker of Cle Elum-Roslyn won the tournament with a 2-under, 142. 

Hontou was the lone Kodiak golfer at the Horn Rapids Golf Course. This was her first state tournament. Alexander said he could tell she was nervous. 

“She was prepared and took on the challenge of playing in the first group of the day at 7:30. Being in the first group meant that she was to play with a couple of the best lady golfers in the state. She did. She played with Kaysa Panke, junior, the defending state champion from Davenport,” Alexander said. 

Panke shot 73 this first day, Hontou 96. It was good enough to make the cut for the next day. 

 “She was happy to play another day. The weather was to be a lot cooler and with gusty winds. Horn Rapids is a course that the first four holes on each nine you play into the teeth of the wind, the last five of each nine was with the wind at your back,” he said. “Maddie struggled off the first tee and was 11 over after the first 5 holes. She then settled in and played 11 over for the last 13, with a 25 feet. birdie putt on the 150 yard par 3 17th, to finish with a 94 and finished 24th for the tourney. It was great to watch her play.”

Alexander said it was a great experience for the kids. 

“Maddie and Tim are juniors so we hope to make it again next year. Both the boys and the girls team finished strong and will hope to keep the momentum for next year,” he said. 

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