Camas’ Brian Humphreys is All-Region boys golfer

A lot of golfers say they prefer to focus on their own play, that they do not want to know what others are doing on the course. They want to keep distractions at a minimum.

Brian Humphreys wanted the information, all the intel he could get, while playing the final round of the Class 4A state boys golf tournament last month.

Eddie Abellar, so., Union: Tied for third at Class 4A state tournament.

Diego DeLaTorre, so., Hockinson: Tied for 7th in 2A state tourney, helping Hawks to team title.

Chad Hall, sr., Battle Ground: Third-best local finisher at 4A state, placed third at district.

Nick Huff, sr., Hockinson: Placed 6th at 2A state, 2A district runner-up, Hudson Invite runner-up.

Taylor Smith, sr., Mountain View: Placed tied for eighth at 3A state, 3A district runner-up.

Ian Spicer, sr., Union: Class 4A district champion; 4A GSHL all-league.

After all, he started the day as one of five players tied for first place. Some of those leaders were in the group ahead of his.

“I wanted to know where I was. I wanted to know what I had to do to keep a lead or catch up, if that was the case,” said Humphreys, a freshman from Camas.

So he had someone giving him updates on what the other players were up to on that rainy day.

It turned out, they weren’t up to much, and Humphreys was on his game, thriving under difficult conditions on his home course at Camas Meadows.

Humphreys had a five-shot lead after nine holes that day, giving himself plenty of leeway in what turned into a two-shot victory.

A state champion in his first season of high school golf, Humphreys is The Columbian’s All-Region boys golfer of the year.

“I definitely got a lot of attention at school for it,” Humphreys said. “Everyone thought it was cool a freshman won. Being named All-Region golfer of the year made me realize how special it was. It kind of has helped it sink in a little bit.”

Humphreys pretty much won the tournament with his front nine in the final round, a 1-under-par 35 while the others blew up to at least 4-over during that stretch. His score was more impressive considering the round was played in non-stop rain.

“As long as my hands are warm and relatively dry, I don’t mind playing in the rain at all,” Humphreys said.

With that good attitude for a Northwest golfer, he took advantage.

“It was great to have that five-shot lead a the turn,” he said. “I knew I had a lot of room to play it safe.”

When it was over, already soaked from the conditions, his teammates showered him with apple cider.

It was the sweet taste of victory.

Season highlights

• A first-round leader at the Class 4A district tournament last fall, Humphreys ended up finishing second to Union’s Ian Spicer.
• Humphreys maintained a positive attitude, noting he just got beat by the better player that day.
• In the spring, he dominated the early part of the second round of the state tournament and won the event — held at Camas Meadows — by two strokes.

More about Brian

• Favorite movie: “Moneyball.” “I like the underdog story,” he said. … Like a freshman winning a state golf title? … “I guess you could say that.”
• Favorite subject: Human geography. “It’s fascinating to learn about the different areas of the world.”
• Most inspirational people: “My parents (Robin and George.) They work hard for me to do what I love.”

Next year and beyond

“Just have another good season. I doesn’t matter to me whether I win state next year. Just as long as I live up to my expectations with my play.” … After high school and college, he wants to play professionally.

“Camas Meadows is a course you have to play (a few times) to fully understand. It was a huge advantage to play there.”

Brian Humphreys

on winning the state title on his team’s home course.