The scores may not be showing it yet, but Sweet Home’s boys are improving on the golf course.
That’s the analysis from Coach Tom Horn, who’s known for his blunt assessment of his teams.
The Huskies placed fourth in a five-way match at Shadow Hills in Eugene on April 4 and fourth against six other teams at Aspen Lakes, near Sisters, Friday, April 8.
Aspen Lakes
On a cool and windy day that dried the course out, Sweet Home, led by Roman Kinney’s 89, posted a team score of 381 at Aspen Lakes.
Stayton won with a 343, followed by Sisters (345) and Cottage Grove (376). Trailing Sweet Home were Madras (417) and Mountain View (420), while La Pine did not have a complete team.
Horn noted that his team, who have not played on a course where the ball “actually rolled,” “were amazed that the ball traveled so far.”
It was Kinney’s best outing of the season, as he shot a 42 on the back nine, which was also his best effort over nine holes.
“I now expect his scores to just keep dropping as the season progresses,” Horn said.
Zach Miller also shot his best round of the year, finishing with a 95 to tie teammate Jason Rice, who “continued to play well,” Horn said. “One or two holes in each round are his undoing. If he could just eliminate those, his scores would be very good.”
Sophomore Casey Horner, who was playing his first varsity match, finished with a 102 to tie with Cody Daniels.
Horner “played well after some early-round nerves,” Horn said.
Shadow Hills
Junction City, which has been the team to beat thus far, finished with a 368, but Cottage Grove was close behind with a 372 at Shadow Hills. Tillamook was third (378) and Sweet Home fourth (395), while La Pine again had an incomplete team.
“The greens were very fast, which led to some putting woes by the Sweet Home players,” Horn said.
Jason Rice led the Huskies with a 93, followed by Mike Fontenot (95), Cody Daniels (102), Roman Kinney (105) and Blake Martin (106).
“I am looking forward to continued improvement as we hit the halfway point of our season,” Horn said.
The Huskies will hit that Wednesday, April 20, when they host their second and final home match of the season at Mallard Creek, beginning at noon.
The girls opened their season Monday, April 11, at Cottage Grove. Results were not available at press time. They will play again April 22 at Tokatee (McKenzie).