Eight local golfers qualify for state

EVERETT — Eight local golfers will compete around the state May 27-28 in their respective state golf tournaments.

In all, Marysville-Pilchuck sends three to state, with Sara Rott and Abby Beauchamp qualifying for the 4A girls tournament at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

Four Tomahawk girls qualified out of Everett Golf and Country Club for the second day of districts, which was held at Camaloch Golf Course due to soggy field conditions in Everett.

“We were solid on the front nine,” said M-P girls coach Jaci Legore Hodgins. “Oh boy, then we went to the back nine, oh my how things can change.”

Sophomore Stasia Ashley improved on her previous outings at the Camano Island golf course and senior Brielle Saunders rounded out the four who made the second day of districts. But with 97 strokes on the second day to go with her 101 from Everett, Beauchamp was the 15th and final girl to make the cut for state. Rott’s 103 strokes at Camaloch plus 93 at Everett gave her a 13th place finish.

Arlington junior Tiffany Daggett qualified for the second day, placing 12th at Everett but fell out of contention with 110 strokes at Camaloch.

The Tomahawks’ third state golfer comes from the boys side, as Kyle Hanks placed 12th out of districts at Gallery Golf Course and travels to Canyon Lakes Golf Course for the 4A boys tournament.

At the Skagit Valley Golf and Country Club, senior Peyton Mizell became the first Lakewood girl to qualify for state in school history. After tying with three girls for 16th place on the first day, she moved up, shooting 98 strokes on the second day and taking the 14th slot out of the district to state.

“She became the first Lakewood female golfer to make it to the state tournament, on the 10th anniversary of the start of the golf program,” said Lakewood coach Chris Walster.

Northwest league rivals Grace Academy and Highland Christian produced a total of four golfers who will go on to the 1B state golf tournament. Teeing off in the first group, senior Craig Crawford will go for his third state championship. Challenging him at Tri-City Country Club in Kennewick will be Grace Academy golfers Dylan Falk and Grant Weinberg. Also traveling to Kennewick will be Grace Academy’s Ariell Eneix, who placed fifth out of the district and will compete in the girls tournament at the same site.