WOODLAND — Bridget Standard came into the Class 3A district golf tournament expecting to win.
So when she struggled on the first day and found herself down a stroke, she had to give herself a bit of a pep talk.
“When I shoot a high score, I know I can improve,” Standard said. “Do whatever you can to lower the score. It’s hard to come back from a that big of a number, but I did my best.”
Her best was plenty good enough for a championship.
Standard, a sophomore from Fort Vancouver, followed her Monday round of 88 with the round of the tournament on Tuesday, an 80 on the par-73 layout at Lewis River Golf Course.
“I wanted to shoot in the 70s, but 80 is fine,” Standard said. “I’ll just keep improving. By state, I’ll be doing better.”
The top six golfers advance directly to state May 28 and 29, and all six will know the course. The 3A state tournament also is at Lewis River.
Mountain View’s Abby Kadrmas finished second at 175,. Jenna’e Lecomte of Mountain View was third at 180.
“I’m finally shooting where I want to be shooting,” Kadrmas said. “Today and yesterday was pretty good, and I’m still getting better. I’m happy with it for sure. I’m happy I’m going directly to state. I’m happy with how I played. I’m happy with a lot of my shots.”
Standard, too, was pleased with her game on Tuesday. Normally, she does not want to know her score during a round. But at 18-hole tournament, players give officials their nine-hole scores.
“I did find out that I shot a 37, and that was exciting,” she said.
Maybe too exciting. She had her only bad hole of the day on No. 10.
“That’s fine,” she told herself. “You can still do this. You can still get pars and be fine.”
First-round leader Annie Lu of Mountain View finished fourth with a 181. Tiffany Hansen of Prairie took fifth at 188 and Prairie’s Courtney Bradshaw had a 191 for sixth and that final automatic berth to state.
Those two Falcons also led the way to Prairie’s team title. Prairie scored 191 points to top Mountain View at 157.
The next nine players qualified for the bi-district tournament next week.
Standard already knows she will be back at Lewis River for state after claiming her first district title.
“It just means I’m accomplishing my goals,” Standard said. “Now I’m focusing on placing in the top 10 at state.”
