It took seven years, but Lake Oswego finally got back on top of 6A boys golf last season.
Now the Lakers, who had an historic run of titles from 2012 to 2016, are intent on staying there.
With one of the state's top players in sophomore Drew Woolworth and a stable of talented, experienced seniors, Lake Oswego has a team that stacks up with the best of their state-championship squads.
“Scoring-wise, I think they could set a record for 36 holes at state,” coach Adam Ruben said. “Every player has the ability to go low, we've just got to have it all clicking at the right time.”
The Lakers aren't taking any shortcuts in their mental preparation. This week, they brought in a nutritionist.
“We're focusing on the little things,” Ruben said. “I think all the returners are motivated to repeat. Definitely, since we won state last year, there's a little more motivation to prove that we can do it again.”
Woolworth was the team's No. 1 player for much of last season and is a legitimate contender for the 6A title. In the first Three Rivers League tournament of the season last week at Oregon Golf Club, Woolworth led the way as the Lakers cruised to victory.
“It's pretty impressive,” Ruben said of Woolworth. “He's getting older, getting stronger, and it's really noticeable with his drives and his mentality.”
Woolworth's length and consistent accuracy sets him apart.
“His power game and iron game is pretty ridiculous,” Ruben said. “He's one of the longest hitters I know. He's not the biggest kid, but he can smoke it. He's in the fairway, chances are that iron's going to be within 15, 20 feet.”
Senior Adam Wrenn also could push for a state title. He won the State Preview tournament the last two seasons, but couldn't duplicate the feat in the 6A championships, finishing fifth in 2022 and tied for 22nd in 2023.
“I think it's just motivating him,” Ruben said. “He's really stepping up to that leadership role as a senior, making sure everybody is working hard at practice. I think good things are going to come for him.”
Seniors Adam Blackmore (tied for 20th at state) and Braden Larsen (tief for 36th) are back. The seniors are embracing their leadership roles after the Lakers graduated their only senior state scorer from last season in Tanner Frinell, who was their top finisher in the 6A tournament (tied for eighth).
“It's really cool to see them put their ego and their score aside and be a leader, and show what it takes to be a good golfer and a student-athlete,” Ruben said. “Lot of team camaraderie. First day of practice, we didn't touch a club, we just set goals for the year. So far, everyone is sticking to that.”
Lake Oswego has 34 players out for team, the most in school history. The Lakers have excellent depth, including sophomore Nate Cheriel and freshman Nathan Pai.
“We've got a good 5-6 for the year,” Ruben said. “It's always nice to have that fifth score being there if something happens.”
Lake Oswego will be tested in a tough Three Rivers that includes Tigard and West Linn.
Canby Invitational
West Linn's sophomore-led boys team showed a glimpse of its potential March 11 by opening the season with a victory in the 15-team Canby Invitational at Willamette Valley Country Club.
The Lions shot a 7-over 295 to edge Sherwood (296) and Summit (299). Glencoe (308) and Central Catholic (311) were next.
Summit senior Owen Harper fired a 7-under 65 to win the tournament, holding off West Linn sophomore Cade McVicker (68) and Sherwood senior Cohen Gladheim (69).
West Linn sophomore Grady Kane and Central Catholic senior Henry Sanders tied for fourth at 71, followed by Reynolds junior Mason Ho, Sherwood sophomore Tiger Lu and Wells senior Dawson Auvil at 72.
West Linn's winning lineup featured three sophomores in McVicker, Kane and Cade Lee (78) and senior Kyle Tenison (78).
Panther Invite
Summit, which won state titles in 6A in 2022 and 5A in 2023, is off to a strong start.
The Storm followed up its second-place performance in the Canby Invitational by winning the nine-team Panther Invite at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Redmond on Thursday.
Summit shot 293 to finish well ahead of the second-place team, reigning 4A champion Baker (327). Mountain View (328) placed third and Crook County (350) was fourth.
Storm sophomore Bryce Grieb shot a 70 to win by three strokes over freshman teammate Bryden Ditty (73). Harper, coming off his season-opening win in the Canby Invitational, tied Summit senior Jakob Hansen and Baker sophomore Elias Long for third place at 75.
Baker junior Isaiah Jones, who took third in the 4A tournament last year, was sixth at 76.
Tomp, Grandberry duel
North Eugene junior Francesca Tomp, the two-time reigning 5A girls champion, split a pair of duels with Thurston senior Olivia Grandberry, who tied for fourth at state last year.
Tomp shot a 3-over 75 to beat Grandberry by two strokes for first place in the Siuslaw Invitational on March 14 at Florence Golf Links. But Grandberry got payback Monday in a Midwestern League tournament at Bar Run in Roseburg, firing a 2-over 72 to win by five strokes over Tomp.
Notes:
Jesuit junior Kate Lee and Westview freshman Melinee Udom tied for first place with a 1-under 71 in a Metro League girls tournament Tuesday at Meriwether National Golf Club in Hillsboro. Sunset defeated Jesuit 321-336 for first place. … Wilsonville sophomore Layla Sidhu (1-over 65) outdueled sophomore teammate Evie Dunn by two strokes for first place in a 5A Northwest Oregon Conference tournament at Charbonneau Golf Club on Tuesday. Wilsonville (301) and La Salle Prep (345) finished 1-2. …
Westview senior Andy Yang and sophomore Alex Yang tied for first place at 1-under 71 to lead the Wildcats to a 301-303 victory over Jesuit in a Metro League boys tournament Monday at Meriwether. Jesuit junior Jack Harrington was third at 72. … Mountain View won the Cowboy-Panther Invite at Crooked River Ranch Golf Club on Tuesday behind the top two finishers, junior Grayson Moore (72) and senior James Zachary (74). Mountain View scored 312 to beat second-place Ridgeview (330). …
Wilsonville sophomore Luke Sidhu, who tied for 11th in the 5A tournament last year, carded a 4-under 68 to win an NWOC tournament Monday at Willamette Valley Country Club. Wilsonville junior Michael Flaherty, the 5A co-champion last season, tied with La Salle Prep freshman Matthew Martin for second place at 71. … Corvallis edged Crescent Valley 333-334 to win a 5A Mid-Willamette Conference boys tournament Monday at Salem Golf Club. Lebanon junior Ryland Carroll was the medalist at even-par 72. …
Glencoe junior Brody Landaker recorded five birdies on the back nine for a 2-under 70, beating Sherwood senior Cohen Gladheim by one stroke in a 6A Pacific Conference boys tournament Monday at Michelbrook Country Club in McMinnville. Glencoe outscored Sherwood 300-309 for first place. … Senior Peyton Wiedenmann led the Thurston boys to first place in the 11-team Siuslaw Invitational on March 13 at Florence Golf Links. Wiedenmann's 2-under 70 won by four strokes over Siuslaw junior Ryan Klampe and North Bend junior Owen Bascom. Thurston shot 311, far ahead of runner-up Siuslaw (347).
jerryu@osaa.org
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