Eagle boys come third in first NWOC golf match

La Salle Prep, last year’s third-place team at the Class 5A state tournament, won the six-team match at Portland’s Eastmoreland Golf Course. The Falcons shot 323, followed by Wilsonville at 368 and HRV at 380.

“A couple of my players had an off day, and we could have easily been a contender for second … but that is golf,” HRV Coach Erin Mason said. “We have to take the highs and the lows from each tournament and build.”

Hood River was led by Kiernan Chown and Davis Kerr, who each shot 86 and tied for fifth individually. “Those scores become more crucial for these two as the season moves forward, as individual (state) qualifiers are based on a season average of scoring,” Mason explained.

Mason said he knew going into the season that La Salle and Wilsonville were the teams to beat at every match the Eagles attend. The Falcons were led by 2022 Class 5A state tourney medalist Will Koch, who shot a 2-under, 70.

“I have met Will a few times as he travels to Indian Creek in the summer to play golf,” Mason said. “Will is a tremendous golfer and can shoot lower most of the time.”

The Eagle program, 20-players strong, also competed at a four-team tournament April 3 in The Dalles, where HRV finished second to the host Riverhawks. Aiden Willis placed third behind The Dalles golfers Kennedy Miller and Cooper Cummings, and ahead of the Riverhawks’ Gabe Hoff.

Hood River competed Monday at Langdon Farm in Aurora (results came after the printed edition deadline).