Vikings face tough golf team

Published 2:16 pm Tuesday, April 3, 2012

by RANDALL BOETGER

Orcas high school senior

The Vikings Golf team played a tough Lopez Island golf team, losing by only 10 strokes.

Matches have always been close with the Lobos and this was their first match on Lopez. Leading the Vikings on March 26 was Roo Smith with an impressive 40, followed by William Coe with a 51, Graye Parnell shot a 56 with a tough last hole, Joe Kostechko shot 59 with brother Zach on his tail with a 63. Keenan O’Brian shot a season low of 93 and Mara Nutt shot a 63 in her first match on a new course.

“These kids are working very hard and are improving every day,” said Coach Bobby Olmsted.

On Thursday, March 29, the Vikings golf team squared off against the defending state champs, Bear Creek High School.

The weather was horrendous, pouring down rain with a swirl of wind, testing the skill and patience of the players.

Viking Freshman Smith led the way again shooting a low 44 with junior Parnell behind him with a 52.

“Considering the challenge of playing the state champs I was very excited about our scores,” Olmsted said. “This was going to be a tough challenge for the players but they are always up for a good golf match in any weather.”

Olmsted has also found entertainment watching the competitive sibling rivalry between the two brothers Zach and Joe, who kept it tight with a 60 from Big Joe and 61 from Zach.

Impressive in her second match was Nutt with another 63.

“The season is half over and it is time to buckle down and take it up a notch. I can promise you practice will start to get tougher, but this team is all for it,” Olmsted said. “They want to get better. I am very proud of all of them.”

The Vikings tee up on Orcas for an April 9 game against Cedar Park/Shoreline Christian.