Submitted by the Friday Harbor golf team
The fourth annual Friday Harbor Invitational was played at the San Juan Island golf club and Mount Vernon Christian dominated.
Medalist for the tournament went to Max Hansen from Mount Vernon, with a playoff victory over Brandon Hodgson from Anacortes. Tied for third and fourth place were two more Mount Vernon players, Kyle Ekkelkemp and John Phifer, both with 89. The Mount Vernon squad won the team competition by 11 shots over second place Anacortes. Ten golf medals were awarded in the men’s division and Mount Vernon took home nine.
“They definitely are the team favorite at the upcoming district tournament,” said Friday Harbor coach Jack Rice.
Dylan Posenjak continues to be Friday Harbor’s best player, he added. Even with a little trouble on the back nine, he still turned in a nice round of 96. Freshman Ethan Havel continues to improve. He had another personal best by carding a 45 on the back nine along with his 55 for a total of 100.
The Lopez ladies golf team did a clean sweep, taking first, second and third place individually. They were led by Anah-Kate Drahn, who turned in the low round for the day with a 95.
There were a few tee prizes for competitors. Ian Volk, Friday Harbor, won the long-drive contest with a bombing 300-plus-yard drive. Long drive in the women’s competition went to Siri Dye from Lopez. Closest to the pin on No. 8, went to Brandon Hodgson from Anacortes. Closest to the pin on No. 8 for women went to Siri Dye from Lopez with a great shot to within 4 feet. Closest to the pin on No. 6 went to Zane Wentzell of Anacortes. Closest to the pin on No. 6 for the women went to Kate Combs, Lopez with a great 4-foot shoot.
Friday Harbor has hosted the invitational for four years. The event was formed to act as a dress rehearsal for the district tournament. Friday Harbor’s team has the district, bi-district and state tournaments, once a week, for the next three weeks.
Hosting the invitational just doesn’t happen. It takes a lot of work by helpers. Over a half-dozen members from the San Juan Ladies Golf Association helped with the score and food. The ladies association hosted the BBQ for the 40-plus kids. The kitchen staff, along with coaching assistants Gordy Waite and Greg Sawyer, provided the manpower to pull off this event. The new professional, Connie Gregor, greeted everyone on behalf of the club and provided her expertise to producing a first-class scoreboard.
“Sven, Tyler and Sand Trap Bill had the course looking as good as we have seen it all year,” said coach Rice. “And big thanks to all the members and board of the San Juan golf club for their support of junior golf and allowing us to host the event at our great club. Thank you all.”
