With their 5A champion girls golf team returning intact, the Wilsonville Wildcats knew they were unlikely to encounter much resistance en route to a repeat this season.
But after an eye-opening appearance in the PGA High School Golf National Invitational last July in Frisco, Texas, the Wildcats are measuring themselves by a much higher standard.
“It was really cool to let them see a national stage and where they fit in,” coach Chris Bensel said. “It gave them an idea of how much better they have to get, because they're kind of a big fish in a small pond now.”
The field was composed of state champion teams and individuals. The Wildcats took 30th out of 31 teams.
“They realized they need to get better,” Bensel said. “So all five of them have pushed since we got back last July with lessons and instruction. We've been setting goals. They have really gotten a lot better, which I know for the rest of the state is a little scary.”
Behind juniors Layla Sidhu and Evie Dunn, sophomore Sophia Raschko and seniors Madeline Downie and Malia Kaleikilo, Wilsonville has dominated all six of its tournaments this season.
Sidhu and Dunn are setting the pace. Through six tournaments, Sidhu is an average of 2.16 over par and Dunn is at 5.83. Sidhu has had 1-under rounds at Charbonneau and Stone Creek. Dunn also shot 1-under at Charbonneau.
Upon returning from the national tournament, the Wildcats took their preparation to another level, according to Bensel. Some of them began lifting weights after seeing how the heavy hitters at the tournament separated themselves.
It was especially valuable for the players who have college golf aspirations, such as Sidhu, Dunn and Downie, who has committed to play at Pacific Lutheran.
“It gave them a lot of respect for what's out there,” Bensel said. “I think it opened their eyes that they've got to get stronger, hit it farther.”
For Bensel, the pro at Charbonneau, it was especially gratifying to see how the players were serious about improving. He told them at the start of the season that if they want to be elite, they were going to have to push themselves. They have responded by getting deep into strategy.
“I think teams with this much success, especially young golfers, might get complacent,” he said. “For me, being a golf pro and being one that played for a living, it's fun to be around gals that want to learn how to play golf. On my end, it's been really exciting. It's kind of like a college team.”
Wilsonville was hoping to face off against some of the top 6A teams in a state preview tournament at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell last week. But the Wildcats were slotted into a small field of 5A teams on April 30 and a larger group of 6A teams squared off the following day.
Still, Wilsonville compared favorably, shooting 316, the best score from either preview tournament. Jesuit (323) and Mountainside (341) were the top teams in the 6A field.
“I was really looking forward to seeing them grind against the other good teams in the state,” Bensel said. “It was disappointing.”
The 5A Preview gave the Wildcats a chance to gauge their games against North Eugene senior Francesca Tomp, the three-time reigning state champion. Tomp fired a 1-under 71 and Wilsonville had the next four placers in Dunn (77), Raschko (78), Sidhu (79) and Downie (82).
Bensel believes that Dunn and Sidhu can contend with Tomp at state. Dunn finished third at state as a freshman and fourth last year. Sidhu tied for fourth in 2023 and placed sixth last year.
Tomp won the title by 12 strokes a year ago.
“I want somebody to give her a run,” Bensel said. “If she wins, that's great, but I don't want to hand it to her.”
If the Wildcats can repeat as champions – and claim their fourth title since 2017 – they are hopeful of returning to the national tournament this summer. This year's event will be played at the prestigious Pinehurst Golf Course in North Carolina.
“If we go back this year, which I think the girls want to do, I've told them, 'This year I want to compete,'” Bensel said.
Notes:
Girls
Cleveland senior Kate Ly shot a 4-under 68 to beat Roseburg freshman Lana Silvestri by one stroke for first place in the 6A Preview at Emerald Valley. Lakeridge freshman Hannah Wendorf was third at 72. … Ly followed up that victory taking a Portland Interscholastic League tournament Monday at Heron Lakes, shooting a 2-under 70. … Roseburg's Silvestri dominated the Southwest Conference district tournament at Running Y Ranch Resort, firing a two-day total of even-par 144 to win by 18 strokes. Grants Pass outscored Sheldon 715-756 to lead the team standings. …
Lake Oswego's Hailey Lim shot a 5-under 67 to hold off Lakeridge's Wendorf by two strokes in a Three Rivers League tournament Monday at Stone Creek. … Catlin Gabel's Vishaka Priyan captured the Catlin Gabel Invitational on Tuesday at Rock Creek Country Club with a 2-over 74. … Forest Grove's Trinity Johnson shot an even-par 71 to run away with a Pacific Conference tournament Monday at Pumpkin Ridge. …
Boys
Lake Oswego junior Drew Woolworth shot a 4-under 68 to beat Tigard's Jennings Oelke (71), West Linn's Cade McVicker (71) and Lake Oswego's Nathan Pai (72) in a Three Rivers League tournament Monday at Stone Creek. Lake Oswego (297) and Tigard (301) led the team scoring. … Marist Catholic claimed the 4A Preview tournament Monday at Tokatee Golf Club, shooting 318 to top Seaside (339) and Marshfield (341). North Bend senior Owen Bascom was medalist at 4-under 68. Seaside's Xanh Quang (72) and Marist Catholic's Nick Hudson (73) were next. …
Glencoe seniors Brody Landaker and Owen Irving shared medalist honors in a Pacific Conference tournament Tuesday on the Ghost Creek course at Pumpkin Ridge, each shooting a 1-over 72. Glencoe outscored Sherwood 301-311 for first place. … Reynolds senior Mason Ho carded a 4-under 68 to top the leaderboard in the Mt. Hood Conference district tournament Tuesday at Stone Creek. Central Catholic's Michael Baldwin was second at 71, leading the Rams to first place at 306. … Summit claimed the Intermountain Conference district tournament Monday at Aspen Lakes Golf Course, shooting 311 to win by 36 strokes over Bend and Ridgeview. Summit's Bryden Ditty shot an even-par 72 to beat teammate Bryce Grieb by five strokes for the win. …
Corvallis got a medalist performance from Chase Brown (1-under 71) to win a Mid-Willamette Conference tournament Monday at the OGA Golf Course, outscoring second place Woodburn 316-338. Woodburn's Dylon Renteria was second at 73. … Lincoln (324) won a hotly contested Portland Interscholastic League tournament Monday at Heron Lakes, edging Cleveland (325) and Grant (327). Lincoln's Ethan Chang was medalist at 2-under 70. … Brookings-Harbor's Lucas Vanderlip won the Marshfield Invitational on Saturday at Bandon Crossings with a 2-under 70. Bandon (334) and South Medford (357) led the team scoring.
jerryu@osaa.org
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