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Southwestern golfers top MIT
By Staff Reports
Thursday, March 27, 2008 | No comments posted.
The Southwestern Oregon Community College men’s golf team got its spring season off to a strong start Tuesday, beating a prestigious university in a unique format at Bandon Dunes.
The Lakers topped Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a match-play competition at the resort, winning three of the four matches.
Meanwhile, Southwestern’s women also played a four-year university, losing to George Fox in a stroke-play match 373-415.
“It was so much fun,” said Southwestern coach Marie Simonds. “It was a great experience for the students to play four-year schools.”
Simonds said the match with MIT was set up when that school’s coach contacted her. The team’s top four golfers were coming to Oregon on a swing through many of the state’s top courses for spring break.
“We played a match-play format because we thought it would be fun and different,” Simonds said.
The Lakers, with a decided home-course advantage because they are familiar with the winds and set-up of Bandon Dunes, performed well.
Sam Ayotte beat Anthony Fowler 3 and 2 in the closest of three wins by the Lakers. Jon Gaffney topped Bryn Waldwick 10 and 8, while Justin Kadin beat Bradley Brown 7 and 6. In the only match won by MIT, Ted Keith edged Adam Burlison 1-up, the only contest decided on the final hole.
“I was really, really proud of our men’s team,” Simonds said. “We are extremely talented this year. They did extremely well.”
Kadin was the Class 5A champion last year while playing for Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis and Ayotte was his teammate with the Raiders.
Burlison, from Cascade High School, and Gaffney, from Gladstone, both are sophomores, back from the team that finished third in the NWAACC championships last year.
Blaine Corkill will be the likely No. 5 man for NWAACC matches. Corkill was a standout junior golfer in Oregon while growing up in the Klamath Falls area before he attended Boise State University last year. Corkill tried unsuccessfully to walk on with the Broncos and transferred to Southwestern.
The Lakers were among the top two teams during the fall season and Simonds expects better this spring and in the future.
“We have exceptional talent this year, but I think we will get better next year,” she said. “The program has continued to grow.”
The coach also is excited about her women’s team, which includes two freshmen and two sophomores.
Holly Ewing, a sophomore from Cottage Grove, posted the best score Tuesday for the Lakers with a 96, while Jessica Marcum, a sophmore from La Grande, shot a 97. Kris Valencia, a freshman from Canby, shot a 109, and Melissa Blamires, a freshman from Nampa, Idaho, had a 113.
“We have a pretty young squad,” Simonds said.
George Fox was led by Brianna Nap, the medalist for the day with an 87.
One plus of Tuesday’s match was gaining a relationship with the visiting schools, Simonds said. The Lakers already have been invited by George Fox to participate in a fall event.
Meanwhile, the team is gearing up for its spring season, which includes an event this weekend at Bremerton, Wash.
The Lakers also will take part next weekend in the annual Bandon Dunes Speedgolf Classic, with some players participating in the event and others helping out.
That event is open to community members and usually draws most of its players from outside the South Coast. Local golfers still can sign up (the entry fee is $80 and includes the tournament, prizes and a breakfast) by visiting www.speedgolfinternational.com.
The Lakers topped Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a match-play competition at the resort, winning three of the four matches.
Meanwhile, Southwestern’s women also played a four-year university, losing to George Fox in a stroke-play match 373-415.
“It was so much fun,” said Southwestern coach Marie Simonds. “It was a great experience for the students to play four-year schools.”
Simonds said the match with MIT was set up when that school’s coach contacted her. The team’s top four golfers were coming to Oregon on a swing through many of the state’s top courses for spring break.
“We played a match-play format because we thought it would be fun and different,” Simonds said.
The Lakers, with a decided home-course advantage because they are familiar with the winds and set-up of Bandon Dunes, performed well.
Sam Ayotte beat Anthony Fowler 3 and 2 in the closest of three wins by the Lakers. Jon Gaffney topped Bryn Waldwick 10 and 8, while Justin Kadin beat Bradley Brown 7 and 6. In the only match won by MIT, Ted Keith edged Adam Burlison 1-up, the only contest decided on the final hole.
“I was really, really proud of our men’s team,” Simonds said. “We are extremely talented this year. They did extremely well.”
Kadin was the Class 5A champion last year while playing for Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis and Ayotte was his teammate with the Raiders.
Burlison, from Cascade High School, and Gaffney, from Gladstone, both are sophomores, back from the team that finished third in the NWAACC championships last year.
Blaine Corkill will be the likely No. 5 man for NWAACC matches. Corkill was a standout junior golfer in Oregon while growing up in the Klamath Falls area before he attended Boise State University last year. Corkill tried unsuccessfully to walk on with the Broncos and transferred to Southwestern.
The Lakers were among the top two teams during the fall season and Simonds expects better this spring and in the future.
“We have exceptional talent this year, but I think we will get better next year,” she said. “The program has continued to grow.”
The coach also is excited about her women’s team, which includes two freshmen and two sophomores.
Holly Ewing, a sophomore from Cottage Grove, posted the best score Tuesday for the Lakers with a 96, while Jessica Marcum, a sophmore from La Grande, shot a 97. Kris Valencia, a freshman from Canby, shot a 109, and Melissa Blamires, a freshman from Nampa, Idaho, had a 113.
“We have a pretty young squad,” Simonds said.
George Fox was led by Brianna Nap, the medalist for the day with an 87.
One plus of Tuesday’s match was gaining a relationship with the visiting schools, Simonds said. The Lakers already have been invited by George Fox to participate in a fall event.
Meanwhile, the team is gearing up for its spring season, which includes an event this weekend at Bremerton, Wash.
The Lakers also will take part next weekend in the annual Bandon Dunes Speedgolf Classic, with some players participating in the event and others helping out.
That event is open to community members and usually draws most of its players from outside the South Coast. Local golfers still can sign up (the entry fee is $80 and includes the tournament, prizes and a breakfast) by visiting www.speedgolfinternational.com.
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