SK returns with tournament-seasoned team

Gig Harbor and Bellarmine have always been the usual suspects for the South Kitsap High School girls and boys golf teams.

The defunct Olympic League this season joins the Narrows League Bridge Division, which could provide stiffer competition.

SK girls coach Bob Murphy said it will be an interesting year going against unfamiliar teams.

But with last year’s team returning the heart of its young lineup, Murphy said he thinks this year’s squad could make bigger strides from last year’s 4-6 league record.

The team is anchored by SK’s lone senior, Molly Ingham, who advanced to the final round of the 4A state tournament at the Avalon Golf Club last year.

Though only sophomores, Katie O’Brien and Kathryn Lawman gained valuable experience last year as the No. 2 and No. 3 golfers.

Lawman holds the women’s record low round at Village Greens.

“Katie and Kathryn will come through this season this year and the next couple years,” Murphy said. “Molly plans on placing in the top 25 at state this year.”

Murphy said the nicest addition is that of junior Caroline Larsson, an exchange student from Sweden.

“Caroline has come out of nowhere and will probably be our No. 3 golfer,” Murphy said.

The varsity team consists of six golfers.

SK struggled after its first four golfers last year, but Murphy said he can see the team scoring some valuable points at No. 4 and No. 5.

“We definitely have a little more depth than last year,” Murphy said. “The golfers one through six have played golf before.”

Rounding out the roster are freshmen Hailey Rodgers, Emma Mobley and Kirsten MacDonald, and sophomores Amy Powell and Emily Koski.

The Wolves opened the season last Thursday with a 96-54 win against Wilson in the nine-hole event.

Lawman shot a seven-over-par 43 (29 points) to lead all golfers. O’Brien followed with a 49 (23 points), and Ingham shot a 50 (22 points).

Powell added 13 points, with Larsson and Mobley each scoring nine points.

On the boy’s side, the Wolves will compete without a senior on the team.

Made up of juniors and sophomores, the team is led by juniors Brady Sharp and Ryan Aker, both state participants last year.

The duo advanced to the final round of the state tournament last year, but it was Aker that had a stronger final round.

Sharp, who has been SK’s No. 1 golfer for the last two years, was in position to earn a top 10 finish entering the final round.

He had was on the leader board with a one-under par after the first round.

But in the final round he shot a nine-over-par 81 to fall to 30th place — 13 slots lower than his 17th-place finish as a freshmen.

Aker made a strong debut at state, shooting a 78 in both rounds to earn 33rd place.

After the state tournament Sharp said he will settle for nothing less than a top 10 finish.

Aker said he’s hoping for a top 15 finish.

Rounding out the team is Rory Cosgrove, Garrett Cryder, Elliott Hulscher, Brad Klinzing, Matt Pritchard, Justin Richardson, Erich Villwock, Tristan Wharton, Adam Wischhoefer, Patrick Wombolt, and Donnie Zeth.

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