Union’s Ben Gruher repeats as 4A district golf champ

RIDGEFIELD — This one could have been close. There was a hole or two that could have made this golf tournament a little more dramatic.
Then again, Ben Gruher had other plans.
The Union junior recorded birdies on Nos. 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15 Tuesday during the second round of the Class 4A District 4 boys golf tournament at Tri-Mountain Golf Course.
“That was pretty much it, right there,” Gruher said of that nine-hole stretch. “For me, it sealed the deal and kept the pressure off.”
Gruher won his second consecutive district championship, topping Brian Humphreys of Camas and Union teammate Max Dobak by six shots. Gruher posted a 70 on Monday, then followed that up with another 70 for a 4-under 140 total.
“Last year, I won by one stroke. Today was a little bit of breathing room,” Gruher said.
Humphreys, who won the Class 4A state championship in 2013, said he will be kicking himself for not taking advantage of one of Gruher’s few missteps. They both double-bogeyed the ninth hole, leaving Humphreys two off the lead. A par there from Humphreys would have tied the match, and anything could have happened, he said.
Instead, Gruher walked away from the front nine with the lead, and he was determined to extend that advantage. Gruher put it away with four birdies in the next six holes.
“I’m disappointed I didn’t win, obviously, because that’s the main goal,” Humphreys said. “But I made it to state. State is the more important tournament to me, I’m happy I get to move on to the next round.”
Dobak was thrilled with his tie for second place. He started golfing as a freshman and he did not compete in the district tournament as a sophomore last year.
“I’m just really happy how I stayed in it,” Dobak said, adding there were moments when the round could have fallen apart Tuesday. “I had to stay confident. It was a really good experience.”
Humphreys and Dobak each shot back-to-back 73s to score 146.
In the end, that was no match for Gruher.
“I’m just glad to be able to represent Union in this tournament again and help the team claim a district title for a sixth straight year,” Gruher said. “I’m grateful for all the competitors who made it such a good field.”
Union scored 218 points to take the team title. Skyview was second with 192 points.
“Knowing you’re the best (team) right now just feels really, really cool,” Dobak said.
The top six golfers from the district tournament automatically qualify for the Class 4A state tournament in the spring. The next nine golfers from this event will compete in a bi-district tournament in two weeks for one last chance to qualify for state.