The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

MILTON-FREEWATER- Coach McGhan's concern for his team was evident in the first golf match of the DW season in Milton-Freewater on March 21. With early-season matches allowing coaches more access to their players, McGhan is available to answer questions about rules or how to deal with a specific situation and made a point to check in with each of his nine players.

Everyone, whether playing or watching, stands at alert with shotgun starts at every hole. For students at some schools, this was their first time on the grass this year, due to the uncooperative weather. On the first couple holes, shouts of "Fore!" rang through the air as players became acclimated to the course.

"I was very pleased with the team's performance today. Every one of our returning golfers bettered their score from last year on this course. Practice has been difficult for all the schools with the snow so there were some high scores all around. Our kids have been great practicing in poor conditions; I couldn't be happier with their attitude through this. Today was their first day hitting off grass."

Unpredictability was the word of the day, with spectators not knowing what they would see from which player. Kira McCaw sank a very long putt for par. Ashton Phinney and McKellyn Bradham both hit impressive tee shots onto the green on the eighth hole, 140-yard, par three.

"This was Seamus' (House) first high school golf match; he shot a 59 with a cast on his left wrist. Samantha (Davis) finished third for the girls with Lexi (Draper) shooting the 4th best score at 54, 21 strokes better than last year's score.

"Kira (McCaw) was having a rough day as she is battling a knee injury. Her day was highlighted by sinking a 30-foot put on number three and knocking in a 60-yard approach shot for a par on number nine. Ashton continued playing steady golf for us, taking up where he left off last year. McKellyn made some excellent shots but needs to work on consistency. Eli continues to improve and gain confidence, " McGahn said, summarizing the match.

The scene was a stark difference from the recent basketball games of winter. Parents could be found quietly watching the match by the clubhouse and enjoying the great weather. One mother kept an eye on her kid with a pair of binoculars.

With matches held on early weekday afternoons it is understandable that they don't have the same attendance as basketball games. But for anyone who is not working, or is retired, it is a great way to enjoy the sun for a couple of hours.

The next DW golf match is March 27 at 2:30 p.m. at the Walla Walla Wine Valley Golf Course.

Dayton/Waitsburg Girls

Samantha Davis 53

Lexi Draper 54

Kira McCaw 64

Total 171

Eric Umphrey

McKellyn Bradham

Dayton/Waitsburg Boys

Ashton Phinney 44

McKellyn Bradham 48

Eli Talbot 58

Seamus House 59

Total 209

Columbia Burbank Boys

Evan Harvill 36

Will Neylon 58

Total 94