A passion for playing together

Peninsula boys golfers undefeated, press on for district, state qualification

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

The Peninsula Seahawks boys golf team has proven to be among the best in school history. Call it a year-long brotherhood.

Along with a 9-0 season exists a camaraderie between the six varsity players who continued into the second day of the Class 3A South Puget Sound League tournament after press time Tuesday at Eagle Pride Golf Course at Fort Lewis.

The Peninsula boys and girls had an unprecedented showing last Thursday on the first day of the tournament by qualifying all 12 to the final day.

The top 11 boys will advance to the state tournament, and the following 17 will compete next spring in a district tourney.

The Seahawks boys have remained consistent: They won their first SPSL championship since they joined the league last fall.

Peninsula won by an average of 27 points, but the Seahawks grinded out wins over league powers Enumclaw and Auburn Mountainview by five points combined.

The mix of three seniors and three sophomores was a combination that Peninsula head coach Larry Gilhuly had never seen before. For a coach who spearheaded five Seamount League and two Olympic League championships, Gilhuly said watching his players back each other up on the course was a rarity.

“We’ve had success over the years, and groups of kids coming through,” Gilhuly said. “This group is different. They are more cohesive. They really enjoy playing golf together.”

While some leagues don’t allow teammates to pair with one another, the SPSL 3A Division does. The Seahawks used that format as a support mechanism.

On the final three holes against Auburn Mountainview — on a day when Peninsula wasn’t playing particularly well — the Seahawks trailed by seven shots.

They rallied, gaining five shots on No. 7. Yet they still found themselves in a two-shot hole going into the final hole.

Peninsula played lights-out and shot a 1-under par on No. 9 at Cantewood Golf & Country Club. The Seahawks won by four strokes and secured their perfect record.

Peninsula senior captain Joey McNelis said winning the league championship was great.

“It means a lot to our team,” he said. “After losing one match last year (to Lakes), it really bugged all of us and made us work a lot harder to make sure we won.”

McNelis scored a season-high 20 points to lead the Seahawks in their 72-68 win over Auburn Mountainview.

The Enumclaw Hornets gave the Seahawks a scare on their home course, but Peninsula put together its most outstanding performance of the season, scoring a combined 89 points to win by three.

Peninsula senior Christian Letts said some individuals have a way to step up when others aren’t having their best day.

“We were able to come back together,” Letts said about beating Auburn Mountainview. “If someone doesn’t play well, just back the other guy up. “

Zach Cox, a transfer from Gig Harbor High School, wanted to join the Peninsula golf team because of its camaraderie. He views his teammates as friends.

“We play (together) during the offseason and weekends,” Cox said. “We’re all really close.”

Peninsula sophomore Luke Erickson shot a 35 against White River and has shared the No. 1 or No. 2 slot with McNelis in just his first year on the team.

Erickson has added to the team’s depth as an underclassman, along with sophomores Devin Findlay and Marshall Pinto.

“It’s pretty nice to win the (league) title, but there are bigger tournaments, like districts and state,” Erickson said. “If we can win our league, then I think we have a good chance in the bigger tournaments.”

Findlay said the team lost some big hitters from last year, so they all focus on playing a good short game.

“Last year, losing to Lakes by one pushed us and gave us something to fight for,” Findlay said. “It’s good for the other freshmen coming up and sophomores who are going to play varsity to set a new bar.”

Peninsula girls

The Peninsula girls finished third in the SPSL 3A Division behind defending state champion Enumclaw and Sumner.

Seahawks sophomore Rachel Lewis, who placed in the top 10 at the state tournament last year, led the pack after the first day of the SPSL tournament with an 85.

Nine girls will advance directly to state, and 14 will fight for a state spot at the district tournament next spring.

Going into Tuesday’s final round, Peninsula senior Lisa Kromholtz was in seventh (96), senior Anna Heacox 14th (101), freshman Katie Goins tied for 20th (107), Conner Bean 35th (117) and Kassie Picchi 36th (118).

Lewis shot a hole-in-one earlier this season against Franklin Pierce, the first of her career.

PHS boys nine-hole scoring averages

Sophomore Luke Erickson, 37.0

Senior Joey McNelis, 37.5

Sophomore Devin Findlay, 39.2

Senior Christian Letts, 41.9

Sophomore Marshall Pinto, 42.1

Senior Zach Cox, 43.1

SPSL Class 3A honors

Peninsula boys

Joey McNelis and Devin Findlay were named first team all-league.

Marshall Pinto and Christian Letts were all-league honorable mention.

Luke Erickson and Letts were academic all-league. If he had qualified with a few more matches, Erickson would have been first team all-league with his scoring average.

Peninsula girls

Rachel Lewis was first team all-league.

Lisa Kromholtz and Anna Heacox were second team all-league.

Conner Bean, Lewis and Kassie Picchi were academic first team all-league.