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Southwestern golf team captures first NWAACC crown
By John Gunther, Sports Editor
Friday, May 22, 2009 | No comments posted.
The best season in the history of the Southwestern Oregon Community College men’s golf program ended with the school’s first NWAACC title in any sport.
The Lakers won a one-hole playoff with Spokane to take the title on Monday at Walla Walla, Wash.
Led by individual medalist Andrew Von Lossow, the Lakers shot an NWAACC-record score of 13-under par in the opening round and then watched Spokane nearly duplicate the feat the second day.
The result left both teams at 559, 17-under par, setting up a one-hole playoff.
The top four players from each team the second day — each squad had six players each day and counted four scores — were in the playoff. For the Lakers, that meant Von Lossow, Blaine Corkhill, Joe Rafson and Jerry Morrell.
“That was madness — eight guys on the same tee,” said Von Lossow.
He and Corkhill both hit their approach shots within a couple of feet to set up easy birdies, offsetting a bogey by Rafson. Morrell had a par, while all four Spokane players parred the hole, giving the Lakers a one-shot victory in the playoff.
The playoff wouldn’t have been possible for the Lakers if Von Lossow hadn’t had a phenomenal finish, posting a cumulative score of 5-under for the final five holes.
Von Lossow opened the tournament with a 66 on Sunday, but had 12 pars and a bogey on the opening 13 holes Monday.
“I was burning edges all day,” he said. “I knew I was close. I kept telling myself to let it happen.”
That started with the par-5 14th hole, where he hit the green in two shots and had a two-putt birdie. He followed with an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th, a 16-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th and a two-putt par on the 17th. Von Lossow hit his approach on No. 18 to three feet for another birdie, capping a 68 that left him 10-under par and four shots better than Skagit Valley’s Eric McCardle and Spokane’s Sam Krause.
Morrell was tied for fourth at 141, with Sam Ayotte tied for 10th at 143, Rafson tied for 15th at 144, Corkill tied for 20th at 146 and Nick Fasiano tied for 23rd at 147.
The Lakers played so well on the opening day that they didn’t count a par score by Fasiano among their four best players. That’s because Ayotte shot a 68, Rafson a 70 and Morrell a 71.
“We joked around saying we were the dream team,” Von Lossow said. “We played pretty well.”
Von Lossow was attracted to Southwestern from Seattle by the school’s ties with the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, where the team practices.
“I thought it was the best place to take my game to the next level,” he said.
“I think it’s a huge advantage to play in the toughest elements on the best courses. You have to hit better shots out there.”
It’s hard to argue with the results.
Von Lossow finished sixth or better in every spring tournament, while Ayotte, Morrell and Fasiano all won events.
“It’s pretty cool we won the whole thing,” Von Lossow said. “All year round, (the goal is) getting the job done when it counts the most. That’s why you play the game.”
Southwestern’s top woman at the tournament was Melissa Blamires, who finished 10th at 163, including a 75 in the opening round.
Heather Parker finished at 183 and Hayley McKinley was at 206.
Southwestern finished sixth in the team race, trailing champion Spokane and four other schools.
The Southwestern squads are coached by Michael Chupka.
The Lakers won a one-hole playoff with Spokane to take the title on Monday at Walla Walla, Wash.
Led by individual medalist Andrew Von Lossow, the Lakers shot an NWAACC-record score of 13-under par in the opening round and then watched Spokane nearly duplicate the feat the second day.
The result left both teams at 559, 17-under par, setting up a one-hole playoff.
The top four players from each team the second day — each squad had six players each day and counted four scores — were in the playoff. For the Lakers, that meant Von Lossow, Blaine Corkhill, Joe Rafson and Jerry Morrell.
“That was madness — eight guys on the same tee,” said Von Lossow.
He and Corkhill both hit their approach shots within a couple of feet to set up easy birdies, offsetting a bogey by Rafson. Morrell had a par, while all four Spokane players parred the hole, giving the Lakers a one-shot victory in the playoff.
The playoff wouldn’t have been possible for the Lakers if Von Lossow hadn’t had a phenomenal finish, posting a cumulative score of 5-under for the final five holes.
Von Lossow opened the tournament with a 66 on Sunday, but had 12 pars and a bogey on the opening 13 holes Monday.
“I was burning edges all day,” he said. “I knew I was close. I kept telling myself to let it happen.”
That started with the par-5 14th hole, where he hit the green in two shots and had a two-putt birdie. He followed with an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th, a 16-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th and a two-putt par on the 17th. Von Lossow hit his approach on No. 18 to three feet for another birdie, capping a 68 that left him 10-under par and four shots better than Skagit Valley’s Eric McCardle and Spokane’s Sam Krause.
Morrell was tied for fourth at 141, with Sam Ayotte tied for 10th at 143, Rafson tied for 15th at 144, Corkill tied for 20th at 146 and Nick Fasiano tied for 23rd at 147.
The Lakers played so well on the opening day that they didn’t count a par score by Fasiano among their four best players. That’s because Ayotte shot a 68, Rafson a 70 and Morrell a 71.
“We joked around saying we were the dream team,” Von Lossow said. “We played pretty well.”
Von Lossow was attracted to Southwestern from Seattle by the school’s ties with the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, where the team practices.
“I thought it was the best place to take my game to the next level,” he said.
“I think it’s a huge advantage to play in the toughest elements on the best courses. You have to hit better shots out there.”
It’s hard to argue with the results.
Von Lossow finished sixth or better in every spring tournament, while Ayotte, Morrell and Fasiano all won events.
“It’s pretty cool we won the whole thing,” Von Lossow said. “All year round, (the goal is) getting the job done when it counts the most. That’s why you play the game.”
Southwestern’s top woman at the tournament was Melissa Blamires, who finished 10th at 163, including a 75 in the opening round.
Heather Parker finished at 183 and Hayley McKinley was at 206.
Southwestern finished sixth in the team race, trailing champion Spokane and four other schools.
The Southwestern squads are coached by Michael Chupka.
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