The high school state golf championships return to the Tri-Cities today after a five-year absence. So how much of an advantage does that give local golfers?
"Well, the Tri-City weather is an advantage," said Hanford senior Josh Harvey, a Cal State-Fullerton signee who has played dozens of rounds at Meadow Springs Country Club, site of the 3A boys tournament.
"Being able to sleep in our own beds instead of a hotel bed. The greens, we know them a little better than most. And how the ball behaves coming out of the rough. But either way, you've still got to come out and play golf."
Harvey is one of four Hanford players in the field today as the Falcons try for their second team title in three years.
Sophomore Scott Kim, who won a pair of CBBN pod matches this season, is one of three state veterans on the Falcons along with Harvey and senior Alex Cantu.
The Richland girls qualified five golfers for the 4A tournament at Sun Willows in Pasco, including district champion Mary McDonald, a sophomore, and runner-up Kristin Strankman, a freshman.
The Bombers look to challenge defending champion Redmond, led by Kara Zitman, and 2007 champion Seo Hee Moon of Kamiak is also in the field.
The past two champions return in the 4A boys at Canyon Lakes -- Eastlake senior Kevin Penner ('07) and last year's winner Reid Martin, a senior at Kamiak. Walla Walla has three golfers in the field, including CBBN district champion Drew Reinland, and could challenge for the team title.
The 2A tourneys are the only ones not in the Tri-Cities, instead being contested at Apple Tree in Yakima. Othello has three golfers in both the boys and girls tourneys, including girls district champion Ashley Amoruso, 13th at state a year ago.
Chelan's Kelli Bowers, who won the 1A girls title a year ago by 15 shots, is back to defend her crown at Columbia Point in Richland, while Jack Whealdon of Ilwaco -- second a year ago -- is the top returner in the boys field.
Both 2B/1B champions -- Craig Crawford of Highland Christian and Kristin Rue of Life Christian -- are back to defend their titles at Tri-City Country Club.
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4A boys
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