As youths, the players on Bandon's boys golf team idolized the 2018 team, the program's first state champion.
Last year, the Tigers joined that team by delivering a second 3A/2A/1A title. And on Monday, they took it up a notch by shooting a 292 in the Oregon Invitational at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, breaking the 2018 team's school record of 302.
“It was a huge confidence-builder for the entire team,” Bandon coach Scott Millhouser said. “They knew the boys from the 2018 team had the record. Now they realize they're as good, if not better.”
Sophomore Sevren Quinn led the way as medalist, shooting a 2-under 69 to beat senior teammate Peyton Simonds (71) by two strokes. Sophomore Braedon Millhouser and freshman Jackson Simonds finished in a four-way tie for third place at 76.
The Tigers ran away from Banks (336) and Neah-Kah-Nie (362) to win tournament, which featured seven 3A/2A/1A teams, six from Special District 1.
“The boys were pretty excited about it,” Scott Millhouser said. “This team can be as good as they want to be. They're highly motivated individuals.”
It was the first time in Bandon's three tournaments this season that the team competed with its full lineup. The performance showed that the Tigers are a dominant force not just in the small-school division, but for all classifications.
“I would love to have the opportunity to have our full team play against the top 6A or 5A teams,” Scott Millhouser said. “We are very competitive with our solid four core players. My goal this year is just to find the best competition for them.”
Scott Millhouser is the director of golf at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, among the nation's top golf destinations and the team's home course. The Tigers grew up playing at Bandon Dunes – the Simonds brothers are the sons of Jeff Simonds, the general manager – and they are members of the resort's caddie program.
“These boys don't know how good they have it,” Scott Millhouser said. “This is the team I knew was coming five to 10 years down the line that I was excited about. It's just a fun season for everyone.”
Quinn, who tied for third in the state meet as a freshman last year, led the charge on Pumpkin Ridge's Ghost Creek course at the Oregon Invitational. He finished strong, recording five birdies on the back nine.
“When he gets it really going, he can go even lower than 69,” Scott Millhouser said. “He's got that extra gear that a lot of us don't have. He can turn it on even more. I think we'll see even better scores out of him this spring.”
Quinn has added about 15 yards off the tee this season, helping him to avoid the occasional big numbers that plagued him at times last year.
“His tee-to-green game has improved,” Scott Millhouser said. “He doesn't miss many fairways. When you hit it 285 to 300 sometimes down the middle, his wedge and short-iron game is getting more dialed in. You know he's going to throw a dart.”
Peyton Simonds, who has committed to play at Whitworth University, also is playing more steady than last year, when he took fifth at state. He shot a 2-under 70 to win the Siuslaw Invitational at Florence Golf Links on March 19.
“He's one of the best pressure putters I've ever met,” Scott Millhouser said. “If he knows he needs to make a putt, I wouldn't bet against him.”
Bandon graduated two scorers from last year's state tournament in Sean Ells (tied for 16th) and Carter Brown (tied for 27th), but added two impact players in Braedon Millhouser and Jackson Simonds. Braedon Millhouser, the coach's son, transferred from Coquille, where he tied for 24th in the 3A/2A/1A tournament as a freshman.
The Tigers opened the season against a power-packed big-school field in the Canby Invitational on March 17 at Willamette Valley Country Club. Without Quinn, and with Peyton Simonds struggling to an 84, they finished 14th out of 20 teams.
Two days, Bandon got on track in the Siuslaw Invitational by shooting a 310 to win by 13 strokes over reigning 4A champion Marist Catholic. Simonds (70) was first and Quinn (75) was third.
Notes:
Lake Oswego junior Drew Woolworth, the reigning 6A champion, had another stellar round in leading the Lakers to first place in the Three Rivers League tournament Monday at Arrowhead Golf Club. Woolworth shot a 3-under 68 to finish ahead of Tigard senior Jennings Oelke (69), Lake Oswego junior Nate Cheriel (72), Lakeridge freshman Moses Haddad (73) and West Linn junior Cade McVicker (73). The Lakers outscored West Linn 292-311 to win. In Woolworth's first tournament this season, he fired a 5-under 67 to win the Tigard-Tualatin Preseason Showcase on March 17 at Tualatin Country Club. …
Central Catholic won the 16-team Generals Invitational on Monday at Columbia Edgewater Country Club. The Rams shot 306 to beat Sherwood (314) and Sheldon (326). Central Catholic senior Michael Baldwin and Sherwood freshman Hudson O'Connell shared medalist honors at 1-over 72. The Rams other scorers were senior Dylan Crowell (76), sophomore Blake Kappes (78) and freshman Milo Moskowitz (80). …
Brookings-Harbor senior Lucas Vanderlip shot a 5-under 67 to win the Marshfield Invitational on Monday at Centennial Golf Club in Medford. Crosspoint Christian junior Davis Hartwell, last year's 3A/2A/1A champion, tied for second place with North Bend senior Owen Bascom at 70. Eagle Point sophomore Jordan Giles was third at 72. North Bend (315) won the team scoring, ahead of Eagle Point (337) and Marshfield (338). …
Mountainside (305) turned back Jesuit (310) and Westview (316) to finish first in a Metro League tournament Monday at Pumpkin Ridge. Jesuit senior Joseph Ulrich and Mountainside sophomore Kai Hang tied for first at 71, ahead of Mountainside sophomore Cisse Noriyasu (72). … Grants Pass edged South Medford 325-326 in the four-team Grants Pass Invitational on Monday at Grants Pass Golf Club. Grants Pass junior Carson Krauss won with a 1-under 71.
jerryu@osaa.org
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