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Peninsula golfers young but experienced

Leadership should get teams in top tier of SPSL 3A Division

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

Published: 12:45PM September 30th, 2009

The Peninsula Seahawks golf team has an interesting mix of boys and girls this season. They all gathered two weeks ago at Performance Golf Center in Gig Harbor and played a friendly match of putt-putt.

Peninsula senior Anna Heacox and freshman Charlie Peckinpaugh won by putting a 2-over par. They took home gift certificates to Dairy Queen.

It’s about the only sport where Peninsula head coach Larry Gilhuly can reward his top athletes with delicious ice cream.

And like the treat, the Seahawks golf team is off to another sweet start in the Class 3A South Puget Sound League. Peninsula’s boys and girls teams are both off to a combined 7-1 record after wins against North Thurston, White River and Bonney Lake.

The boys beat Enumclaw — last year’s league champion — 89-86 on Tuesday at Canterwood Golf & Country Club.

Boys

The Peninsula boys had an impressive performance last year at the West Central District tournament at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place.

Four Seahawks advanced to the state tournament, plus one alternate, and Peninsula wound up placing 12th at state.

Although the team graduated two of those state participants, Gilhuly said this year’s team may be just as good, if not better.

“I think we’re a little deeper from top to bottom,” Gilhuly said. “The best players aren’t seniors. It’s just a really good combination this year.”

Peninsula seniors Joey McNelis and Christian Letts are the only returning varsity upperclassmen. Sophomores Luke Erickson, Devin Findlay, Marshall Pinto and Zach Cox round out the team, and they’re looking to gain more experience as their high school years progress.

McNelis said it’s a great group of guys and a lot of fun to play with them.

“I think we’re just as good as we were last year,” McNelis said.

He added that his goal is to qualify for the state tournament and finish in the top five.

And while those may be high expectations, he’s also set more fundamental goals.

“I think just focusing a little more and working a little bit harder,” McNelis said. “If I can make my putts, I’d be a much better golfer.”

McNelis and Erickson were co-medalists after they each shot 38 in a 80-34 win over Bonney Lake earlier this season.

Girls

The Peninsula girls return two competitors — sophomore Rachel Lewis and senior Anna Heacox — who played at the state tournament last year.

Lewis placed seventh at state while Heacox missed the cut. Lewis said her goal is to win the district tourney and earn a top 10 finish at state.

“Over the summer, I played in a lot of Washington Junior Golf Association tournaments and got ready for the school year,” Lewis said.

Heacox, the team’s captain, said she plans to give it everything she’s got this year, since it’s her last.

“I’m trying to be more consistent and getting everything to go straight,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a really good season. I’m looking forward to it.”

Peninsula girls coach Tony Robydek, one of the golf pros at Canterwood Golf & Country Club, the team’s home course, said he has high expectations this season.

“It’s going to be a year where we’re tough to beat,” Robydek said.

Peninsula golf

Boys coach: Larry Gilhuly; assistant coach Jim Gillies.

Girls head coach: Tony Robydek

2008 division champs: Enumclaw. Peninsula’s boys and girls teams each placed second in the league, and the Seahawks boys finished 12th at the Class 3A state tournament.

Key losses: Boys — Chris Bean, Kevin Keiter, Loren Johnson. Girls — Katie Stavig.

Key returners: Boys — Senior co-captain Joey McNelis (finished 28th at state), senior co-captain Christian Letts (state qualifier), sophomore Devin Findlay. Girls — Rachel Lewis (seventh in state as freshman), captain Anna Heacox (state qualifier), senior Lisa Kromholtz, junior Kassie Picchi and junior Haley Newell.

Newcomers: Boys — sophomore Luke Erickson, sophomore Zach Cox and sophomore Marshall Pinto. Girls — junior Conner Bean and freshman Katie Goins.

Biggest upside: Both boys and girls teams have depth.

Coach prediction: “Both boys and girls teams should be in the top two to three teams in the league,” Gilhuly said. “We hope to qualify several boys and girls for state and districts in the spring.”

Teams to watch: Enumclaw boys and girls, Lakes boys, Auburn Moutainview boys, Bonney Lake girls.

Biggest match: Enumclaw boys and girls on Sept. 22. The boys won 89-86 and the girls lost 93-69.

Seahawks golf schedule

Boys

Sept. 10 at North Thurston Win

Sept. 15 at White River Win

Sept. 17 vs. Bonney Lake Win

Sept. 22 at Enumclaw Win

Sept. 24 vs. Lakes 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Sumner 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 1 vs. Auburn Mtnview 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Franklin Pierce 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 8 at Clover Park 3:15 p.m.

Nov. 14 JV tournament TBA

Girls

Sept. 15 vs. White River Win

Sept. 17 vs. Bonney Lake Win

Sept. 22 vs. Enumclaw Loss

Sept. 24 at Lakes 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Sumner 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Auburn Mtnview 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Franklin Pierce 3:15 p.m.