Monday, Jun. 08, 2009

Hanford's Kim, Richland's McDonald lead All-Area golf squads

By Rene Ferran, Herald staff writer

This year's Tri-City Herald All-Area golfers of the year take decidedly different approaches to their careers.

Hanford sophomore Scott Kim plans to travel the country this summer, hitting as many junior tournaments as he can to hone his game.

Meanwhile, Richland sophomore Mary McDonald will golf with her friends in the Tri-Cities, her travels limited to family get-togethers and a few statewide junior events.

Whether it's golfing on the go or a more low-key approach, these two led their teams to CBBN titles despite each missing a league match that cost them possibly league player of the year honors.

Kim missed the final league match in order to take an Advanced Placement biology exam. He figured it was miss a league pod now, or possibly the first round of state a couple weeks later.

He led the league standings at the time and still finished fourth overall thanks to victories at Canyon Lakes and Horn Rapids. He went on to finish third at the 3A Eastern Regional tournament at Downriver in Spokane, then shot a final-round 69 at Meadow Springs to tie for third at state.

Kim credited his win at Canyon Lakes with jump-starting his season. He shot a 2-under 70 for his first high school victory.

"Shooting a 70 at Canyon Lakes is always a positive thing," he said. "Then you know you can play good anywhere."

That includes at Meadow Springs, where he finished in a tie with national junior player of the year Cameron Peck of Timberline (Lacey), four shots behind champion Daniel Snoey of Camas.

"That (final) round, my wedge game was unbelievable," Kim said. "I had so much confidence, I felt if I was within 50 yards of the hole, I could get inside 5 feet every time. My three birdies were all tap-ins."

Kim is joined on the first team by Falcons teammates Alex Cantu and Josh Harvey, Walla Walla's Drew Reinland and Greg Prins, and Kamiakin's Riley Hayfield. Jim Smith, who led Wa-Hi to the CBBN 4A district title and a third-place finish at state, is the All-Area Coach of the Year.

McDonald struggled a bit at state, finishing 28th with rounds of 80 and 81 at Sun Willows, but the rest of her season was stellar.

She finished third in the points standings despite missing the second league match to catch up with her schoolwork. She won the Wenatchee pod, took second at two others, and her 84.0 stroke average was No. 2 in the league to Eisenhower's Christine Cook, a Seattle University signee.

McDonald then captured the district title by shooting a 1-under 71 at Moses Lake Golf Club to win by six strokes.

"Winning districts really surprised me," she said. "My team really pushed me to do as good as I did this year. It was really competitive and fun."

The Bombers' depth shows on the All-Area first team, which, besides McDonald, includes freshman Kristin Strankman, junior Madison Hamm and senior Brittany Zier, while coach Janet Schuster was named Coach of the Year. Othello senior Ashley Amoruso and Royal junior Lacy Goroski round out the team.

All-Area boys golf squad

First team

MVP: Scott Kim, Soph., Hanford -- Won pair of CBBN league matches; took third at regionals, 3A state.

Alex Cantu, Sr., Hanford -- Won season-opening CBBN match; tied for 7th at regionals; 34th at state.

Josh Harvey, Sr., Hanford -- CS-Fullerton signee was fifth in league points standings; 38th at state tourney.

Riley Hayfield, Soph., Kamiakin -- Co-medalist at Tri-City Championships; T17th at state.

Greg Prins, Sr., Walla Walla -- Finished third in CBBN points standings; third at districts, T28th at state.

Drew Reinland, Jr., Walla Walla -- CBBN 4A district titlist finished tied for eighth at state.

Jim Smith, coach, Walla Walla -- Blue Devils won CBBN 4A district title, placed third at state.

Second team

Ryan Goude, sr., Walla Walla; Dylan Jahns, jr., Othello; Samson Martinez, fr., Pasco; Sam Para, soph., Othello; Kurt Simmons, soph., Hermiston; Justin Sprengel, sr., Southridge.

All-Area girls golf squad

First team

MVP -- Mary McDonald, Soph., Richland -- CBBN 4A district titlist finished 28th at state.

Ashley Amoruso, Sr., Othello -- CWAC MVP won district title at Apple Tree; 16th at 2A state.

Lacy Goroski, Jr., Royal -- Won playoff for SCAC district medalist honors; 11th at 1A state.

Madison Hamm, Jr., Richland -- Shot career-best rounds of 79 and 76 to finish T13th at state.

Kristen Strankman, Fr., Richland -- Sixth in CBBN standings; second at districts, T11th at state.

Brittany Zier, Sr., Richland -- Finished 14th in CBBN standings; one of five Bombers to qualify for state.

Janet Schuster, coach, Richland -- She guided team to league and district titles, second at state.

Second team

Destiny Brito, sr., Southridge; Shelby Forester, sr., Royal; Bri Hadler, fr., Hanford; Gina Ojeda, jr., Richland; Amy Verderber, jr., Kamiakin; Kelsey White, sr., Richland.