Mountain View sophomore Graham Moody followed up his state championship in 2018 season with a third-place finish at 3A state in 2019. (Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
So much of Graham Moody’s sophomore season with Mountain View was about not dwelling on one shot or uncontrollable situation over the course of a round.
In the fall, it was among the core values the Thunder implemented in its quest for a state trophy.
So it was only fitting that Moody had to overcome something out of his control on the season’s final day.
Already in a tough spot after an opening day 76, the defending 3A state champion suddenly had a nosebleed as he tried to make up a five-stroke deficit.
All-Region boys golf player of the year Graham Moody discusses his season.
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Moody fired a 1-under 71 to move from ninth to third and earn another state medal to follow his freshman year title.
“It just kind of lightened the mood,” said Moody, The Columbian All-Region boys golfer of the year. “It helped in the long run to kind of relax me.”
Relaxed is how Moody played the fall season leading up to his state tourney. His Thunder rolled to league and district titles as the talented youngster earned top honors out of league and an individual district title.
The high school season was a nice change of pace from Moody’s summer when he’s playing against the elite golfers in the region.
“During regular season, it’s a lot more low key and I’m just trying to support the other guys on the team,” Moody said. “Because that’s what it comes down to: how our last few guys play will really determine how we finish.”
As he geared up for state or prepares for this summer’s bigger tournaments, Moody focuses more on his individual play.
He practices up to five hours a day on average, mostly working on his chipping and putting before trying to get in pressure situations on the course with friends.
He was a recipient of a scholarship at Royal Oaks Country Club, along with teammate Willie Yeh, and uses the facilities to his full advantage.
There’s a future in golf for Moody, and he sees his good friends doing some incredible things at higher levels. Fort Vancouver alumnus Spencer Tibbits, for instance, qualifed for the U.S. Open this year.
“It’s been awesome to get to play with him and see how he’s done things,” said Moody, who noted that Tibbits, too, did not win a state title his sophomore year. Moody only hopes he recovers as well as Tibbits, who went on to win titles his junior and senior seasons.
“It was really tough; I just wanted it too much and put a little too much pressure on myself,” Moody said. “So I talked with him about how to move on, or how he moved on from it.”
After all, it’s against the Mountain View golf tenents to dwell on past events.
Rest of the All-Region team
Cade Bringhurst, Ridgefield: Sophomore was the 2A Greater St. Helens League player of the year, placed third at district, 13th at state.
Kellen Bringhurst, Ridgefield: Senior was first-team 2A Greater St. Helens League, placed fourth at district, placed third at state.
Owen Huntington, Camas: Sophomore was the 4A Greater St. Helens League player of the year, district runner-up, 10th at 4A state.
Isaiah Lamont, Columbia River: Senior was first-team 2A Greater St. Helens League, district runner-up, placed 14th at state.
Willie Yeh, Mountain View: Sophomore was 3A Greater St. Helens League first-team pick, district runner-up, placed 27th at 3A state.
Sean Ball, Seton Catholic: Senior was the Trico League MVP, 1A district champion, placed fifth at 1A state tournament.
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