By Tim Martinez, Columbian
Assistant Sports Editor
Published: June 13, 2016, 10:58pm
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Spencer Tibbits of Fort Vancouver is our All-Region boy golfer of the year, as seen Thursday afternoon, June 9, 2016 at The Columbian's photo studio. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
This much can be said for Spencer Tibbits: He’s battled-tested under pressure.
One week after winning his second Class 3A state championship for high school golf in a playoff, the Fort Vancouver junior found himself in a three-player playoff at the Junior PGA Championship sectional qualifier at The Home Course in Dupont.
“I was like ‘you gotta be kidding me. Two weeks in a row?” Tibbits said.
On May 25 in Spokane, Tibbets stepped off the course as the 3A state champion. Instead, he found himself in a playoff with Mercer Island’s Zach Evens.
Tibbits didn’t have to wait for his eventual win, sealing his second high school state title in three years. And that led him to win his second All-Region boys golfer of the year honor in three years.
The experience at state helped him kick off another busy summer of golf with a victory at the Junior PGA Championship sectional qualifier a week later.
“I’ve played a lot of playoffs over the years, so I was confident going into this one,” Tibbits said. “But having played in one just the week before made it a little easier.”
Tibbits sealed a victory in the Junior PGA sectional on the third playoff hole, sinking a 15-foot putt for birdie.
“I don’t think I could have hit a better putt,” he said.
There isn’t a lot of anything Tibbits hasn’t experienced on the golf course, considering he started playing at age 3.
“Golf is pretty much my entire life,” he said. “It’s not a chore to me to play golf. … I love the game. I always have, and it makes me happy to play.”
Tibbits’ hot start to a busy summer continued last weekend when he made it three wins in three consecutive weeks with his victory in the Royal Oaks Invitational Tournament, although this time he didn’t need a playoff.
Later this summer Tibbits plans to play in the Junior PGA Championship in Rhode Island in August, the Junior Americas Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Eddie Hogan Cup in Portland, the Junior World Championships in San Diego, and if all goes well, the U.S. Junior Amateur in Tennessee.
Always looking ahead, Tibbits said he hopes to continue his golf game into college, then perhaps a professional career.
But first comes his senior season golfing for the Trappers.
“When I was a freshman, I wanted to win state four out of four times,” he said. “But I got second my sophomore year, so I lost that. But I’d still take three out of four.”
All-Region boys golf team
Joe Beuselinck, Columbia River
Junior was the 3A GSHL first-team pick and 3A district runner-up.
Ben Gruher, Union
Junior was the 4A GSHL player of the year, 4A district champion and placed 35th at the 4A state tournament.
Brian Humphreys, Camas
Senior was the 4A GSHL first-team pick, 4A district runner-up and tied for 15th at the 4A state tournament.
Keith Lobis, Union
Sophomore was the 4A GSHL first-team pick, fifth at 4A district and placed 25th at the 4A state tournament.
Spencer Long, Columbia River
Junior was the 3A GSHL first-team pick, placed sixth at 3A district and tied for 15th at the 3A state tournament.
Clayton Rajewich, King’s Way Christian
Senior was a 1A Trico League first-team pick; 1A district runner-up; placed 12th at the 1A state tournament.
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