WOODLAND — The Camas and Mountain View boys golf programs both graduated several key players from powerhouse teams over the past two seasons.
The Papermakers and Thunder had the type of teams that could contend for a state title, but never got to play a state tournament in 2020 or 2021.
But don’t feel too bad for coaches Ed Givens and Jim Peterson. The future looks very bright both teams.
On Tuesday, Mountain View captured its fifth straight 3A district team title and had its fifth straight district individual champion in freshman Grady Millar.
Millar followed up Monday’s 74 with a 1-over 73 on Tuesday to win the 3A district title by seven strokes at 147.
“I putted a lot better today,” Millar said. “I think the greens were a bit quicker today. I think that affected some people.”
It didn’t affect the Thunder too much as Mountain View players took five of the top seven places. Freshman Spencer Moody was second at 154, just ahead of sophomore Alex Rigby also at 154. Junior Kian Iverson was sixth at 171 and freshman Braden Kendrick was seventh at 176.
“This kids just bought into the whole process from the very start,” Peterson said. “They all knew what it meant to be a Mountain View golfer. I’m a lucky coach.”
Prairie’s Jack Dalberg (160) was fourth overall and Kelso’s Riley Kirk (164) was fifth. Mountain View outdistanced Kelso 623-724 for the team title.
Givens is also a lucky coach. Although not as young as the Thunder, the Papermakers’ roster is filled with juniors and sophomores.
Junior Eli Huntington led the way most of the season, and again at district as Camas captured its third straight district team title.
Huntington took a 1-shot lead after Monday’s round and stretched into a 10-stroke victory, shooting a 2-under 70 on Tuesday to finish at 146 for 36 holes.
“I just tried to remain consistent, and I made a whole lot more putts today,” Huntington said.
Skyview’s Allen Kim (156) was second, and teammate Dustin Brooks (163) was third.
But Camas’ depth allowed the Papermakers to beat Skyview for the team title 648-664.
Just how deep are the Papermakers? Drew Scott placed fourth overall at 163, but he did not count toward Camas’ team score.
Prior to the tournament, each team entered five golfers who could count toward team points, then add a sixth player who would just play as an individual. That sixth player was Scott.
“We had to make some tough decisions in the days before this tournament,” Huntington said. “We’ve got seven or eight guys who could play in our top five on any given day.”
Camas’ Leo Cassel rounded out the top five at 164.
The shot of the tournament was turned in by Skyview’s Cole Entenman, who sank a hole-in-one on the 131-yard No. 17 hole. Entenman would finish sixth at 166.
The moment was missed by his playing partner, Union’s Will Rushing.
“I was looking down at the scorecard, and I only looked up when everyone started cheering,” Rushing told Entenman after the shot. “I’ve never seen a hole-in-one before, and now I still haven’t.”
