RIDGEFIELD — Spencer Tibbits is still quiet. Not much of a talker, this sophomore golfer representing Fort Vancouver High School.
His game remains plenty loud, though.
Golfers, coaches, and fans were all abuzz Tuesday as they heard what Tibbits was doing at the Class 3A District 4 boys golf tournament at Tri-Mountain Golf Course.
Four birdies on the front nine. Two more birdies early on the back-nine. He was going low.
Tibbits would end up with one more birdie plus a bogey down the stretch, finishing with a 6-under-par 66 on Tuesday to win the district crown by 11 strokes.
The defending Class 3A state champion is the district champion for the second year in a row.
“I knew it could be a pretty good round, I guess,” Tibbits said about his front nine. “But I didn’t want to blow it up and maybe lose my lead.”
Tibbits went into the final round with a two-stroke lead over teammate Trent Standard.
Teammates cannot play in the same group, so Tibbits did not know how Standard was performing.
“I just focus on my own game,” Tibbits said.
Standard, in fact, ended up in third place, firing a 76 after his opening round 69.
Spencer Long of Columbia River moved up to second place, shooting a 73 after a 71 for a two-day total of 144.
“I’m pretty happy. I played pretty solid,” Long said.
He was in the final group with Tibbits.
“I actually play pretty well when I’m playing with him. The higher competition makes me play better,” Long said. “But it’s hard to keep up with someone that talented.”
Long did lead Columbia River to the 3A district team title.
“Our team’s pretty deep so this is not a huge shocker,” Long said. “It’s nice that everyone played well.”
No one played better than Tibbits, of course. He had birdies on holes 1, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 18, with his lone bogey coming on 17.
“I think I’m a little more mentally tough this year,” Tibbits said, assessing his game.
Because the state tournament is not until May, the district does not yet know how many golfers will qualify for state or the bi-district tournaments in the spring.
Tibbits knows he is going to state.
“I’m not going to get away from tournament golf,” Tibbits said, noting he has a few Oregon Golf Association winter tournaments planned. “I’m going to stay loosened up for state.”
