The Taft High girls golf team got a closer look at Quail Valley Golf Course than it probably wanted to Monday in opening-round play in the OSAA Class 4A/3A/2A/1A State Girls Golf Championships.

The Tigers, who finished second in last week’s Special District 2 finals behind senior medalist Maya Hatton, toured the 5,416-yard par-72 layout in Banks in 432 strokes to stand in 10^th place in the 12-team field.

St. Mary’s shot an opening 323 in the two-day tournament to amass a 43-shot advantage over the combined team of Heppner/Ione.

Another co-op team, Salem Academy/Blanchet Catholic, which defeated the Tigers by eight shots for the District title at Santiam Golf Club, is third at 396.

Two freshmen — Baylee Hammericksen of St. Mary’s and Yvonne Vinceri of Riverdale –share the first-round lead after shooting 2-under 70 under sunny skies and gorgeous course conditions.

Hatton shot a 13-over 85 to stand tied for ninth place just days removed from a 76-75—151 that earned her a third straight District championship.

Junior Violet Palmerini is tied for 48^th at 109; junior Olivia Baker is tied for 54^th at 115; sophomore Sammy Halferty is 61^st at 163; and senior Jocelyn Arguello is tied for 65^th at 147.

Complete team scores

Complete individual results

Leave it to Taft High boys golf coach Andy Morgan to put it best:

“There is virtually no breeze on the course — except the swinging that we have done too much of in our pursuit of our goals,” he said Monday following first-round play in the OSAA Class 3A/2A/1A Boys Golf Championships in Banks.

Taft struggled to a 12th-place standing behind first-place Bandon in the 13-team event at 6,346-yard, par-72 Quail Valley Golf Course entering Tuesday’s final round.

The Tigers, who shot 403 — 95 shots behind first-place Bandon’s 20-over-par 308 — will tee off for final-round play in the 36-hole event at 8:15 a.m. Class 2A Bandon leads 3A Rogue River by four strokes.

“As a first year coach, my idea of a complete, team-best performance was very optimistic,” Morgan said. “The Tigers play to win, and our attitude has not changed — though our team was given a reality check.”

Bandon freshman Scotty Keenan shot 7-under 65 to lead the chase for medalist honors by four shots over Special District 2 champion Kyle Humphreys of Regis.

“There are some really good golfers here this week, and it is exciting to play alongside these fine young men,” Morgan said. “We know we belong here, and we are going to represent our community and school with poise and confidence.”

Taft junior Logan Merry, the team’s leading player all season, stands in 18th place in the two-day tournament following an opening 86. Senior Bonny Patel is tied for 35th at 97; junior William Brooks 47th at 109; senior Dawson Wood tied for 48th at 111; and senior Ean Wood 56th at 124.

“Taft played around its averages, though we know, collectively, that we are capable of so much more,” Morgan said. “The team is happy, yet hungry, and we are not going be satisfied with anything less than our best effort.”

Determined to improve his standing, Merry headed straight to the practice range following his round.

“Logan has his sights on a higher finish,” Morgan said. “He is within striking distance and will make a move tomorrow.”

Patel said he believes his contact was strong, but made some poor decisions regarding game management. He putted well to save some shots.

Brooks said he missed several putts and rushed some shots. He considers the miscues correctable, and said he will work hard tomorrow to slow the game down.

Dawson Wood was disappointed after a decent front nine, but had a rough experience on the back side.

“He will work to maintain a more a positive attitude for a full 18 tomorrow,” Morgan said.

Ean Wood said his driving and putting were solid, but his chipping cost him.

“His inconsistent iron play didn’t disrupt his positive attitude,” Morgan said.

Morgan said post-round advice from assistant coaches Dean Konecny and Kenny Morgan has his squad prepared for a strong finish.

“We have broken the game down, setting some goals for each individual player,” he said. “We definitely need to stay hydrated, and get quality rest.

“The team is in a good mental place. Everyone has remained positive about the experience, and excited to improve. We are talking about having fun — No. 1 goal — and keeping our sights on the possibility of placing higher tomorrow.”

Taft scorecard

Complete team scores

Complete individual scores

They say golf is an easy game . . . until you care.

Members of the Taft High boys’ golf team might as well be caregivers, then, because the stakes will be high and the pressure immense over the next two days when the small-school OSAA State Golf Championships are contested at Quail Valley Golf Course near Banks.

“What we hope to accomplish at State is a championship,” boys coach Andy Morgan said. “We accept coming in second.”

To prepare for Monday and Tuesday’s 36-hole event, Morgan said the Tigers dedicated practice to fine-tuning their games with hopes of producing the season’s first complete team scorecard.

“First, we worked on some individual components of each of the athletes’ games,” he said. “Coaches [Kenny] Morgan and [Dean] Konecny made some time to be available for individual needs.

“Second, we rested. Everyone has been playing a lot of golf and working to keep up at school. We have shortened our school week by one day [20 percent] each week since February, and two days at Districts. It takes a commitment to keep up, and maintain our expectations academically.

“The boys were noticeably fatigued following the District tournament, so we took our time at practice, and backed off the intensity a bit.  What we did focus on was with 100 percent effort, though.

“Third, we continued to have fun as a group. Even Jonathan Freilinger, our lone JV player, attended every last practice, keeping the habits and camaraderie at full strength. This group of boys has formed a good bond, accepting each others’ strengths, weaknesses and habits. They have worked to improve each other all season long.”

Taft was led to State with a second-place finish in the Special District 2 tournament on their home course of Salishan Spa & Golf Resort by West Valley League first-team player Logan Merry, who tied for third.

Merry, a junior, and senior Bonny Patel scored best in the 36-hole event in Gleneden Beach, but the Wood twins, Ean and Dawson, turned in contributing scorecards, as well. Taft’s No. 3 player, junior William Brooks, struggled, but swept the grief aside like one of the many shots on goal he turned away last winter as a first-team all-league and second-team all-state soccer goaltender.

“He is fine with his game, and the team has had fun at his expense,” Morgan said. “It has all been part of the bond with this group.  . . . He knows about stress in competition. He will bounce back at State.”

While the Tigers have been defeated by Blanchet Catholic in every confrontation this season, including last week’s District finals, they have been as close as just a few strokes — to as far behind by as many as nearly 100. Unfortunately for Taft, the Crusaders aren’t the favorites at State.

“That makes us an underdog,” he said. “We are good with that. We have the capability to strike. Logan and Bonny will take the lead, and the supporting three players must make up the distance.”

Brooks and Freilinger will be Taft’s only returning players next season as Merry is transferring to the Corvallis area with his family, who is moving due to his father’s work relocation.

“Logan has been a solid player, consistent and composed,” Morgan said. “He will be missed. We wish him the best and will follow him at his new school, wherever he decides to attend. William will have to become a recruiter and a leader, and is quite capable of leadership.”

The Tigers will need a complete team effort to seize advantage of the moment and challenge for the championship, Morgan said.

“Nobody has peaked yet, and the team has not had three individual, best-rounds in the same tournament,” he said. “We are engaged and hungry. We are ripe for success.”

Whatever the result, it has been a memorable first season as Taft boys’ golf coach for Morgan.

“These kids have been outstanding to work with. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a coach again,” said Morgan, who shared credit with Konecny and his father for getting the team to State. “They have spent a ton of time with these young men, and they have all had a great time.

“The boys have grown athletically, and as young men, and that was our goal as coaches. I hope we have as much fun, and show as much composure as we have all season. This is a first-class group of young men, and hold high the banner and the tradition of Taft championship golf.”

Taft, led by District champion Maya Hatton, will also play Monday and Tuesday at Quail Valley in the Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls Golf Championships.