Mount Si’s boys golf season is, as always, short, but this fall, it looks to be sweet as well.
That’s because the Wildcats are led by a consistent group of seniors and juniors who are holding their own in 4A. The team has a 3-3 record, beating Inglemoor, Woodinville and Bothell, and losing to Issaquah, Skyline and Newport.
“We seem to be getting better each week,” said Mount Si coach Brandon Proudfoot. He sees this group peaking at postseason in less than two weeks.
In the latest action, Mount Si won by 24 points, hosting Bothell on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Senior Alex Nelson and junior Jimmy Jacobson shot 37, senior Joe Steenvoorde shot a 38, Mitch Dover, Jake Karavias and Gavin Gorrell shot 39, sophomore Peter Yoshikara shot a 40, and Jordan Lau and Collin Anderson shot 44. Senior Mac Smith shot a 45. Even par is 36.
“We’ve won every home match and lost every travel match,” said Proudfoot. That says something both to the quality of his players and the new beginnings of 4A in 2014. Travel is tough in this new league, where every away game is played on an unfamiliar course.
Luckily, Snohomish Golf Course, hosting both league and districts, is familiar to veterans.
Mount Si is as deep as it’s ever been. In 3A, that made it unique. Now, in KingCo 4A, it’s one of a group of strong teams all battling against a couple of powerhouses like Skyline and Issaquah.
“We try not to focus on the other teams too much,” said Proudfoot. Unlike other sports, the regular season record doesn’t affect golfers’ postseason.
Every team sends six players to league, “if you win every match or don’t win a single match,” Proudfoot said.
“The nice thing is we can focus on our own play, not grind over the standings,” he added. “We talk a lot about how to take the tools you have to work yourself around the course. We focus on things we can in the short order, such as the short game. A lot of it is how to think your way around the golf course.”
While there’s no clear-cut leader, the group of Nelson, Steenvoorde, Dover and Jacobson are the core varsity performers, turning in solidly strong play.
“Joe, Jimmy, Alex and Mitchell have all played one at one point. They are my solid one-through-four. Depending on how they shoot the day before, they end up in a different order… They all count in almost every match,” said coach Proudfoot.
Most of these boys play all summer at Mount Si Golf Course, and it’s that practice that’s paying off.
Two promising sophomores, Gavin Gorrell and Peter Yoshikawa, are making good strides. They’ve had some low scores, but also some streaky performances. Look for them to lead the program in the next couple of years.
Meanwhile, Mount Si’s freshman class holds a lot of promise for the future.
“They’re out here practicing a bunch, their parents are on board,” Proudfoot said. “It’s a really enthusiastic group that’s going to continue to get better throughout the season.”
Like the veterans, these newcomers to high school are also gaining experience on the new 4A courses.
“It’s all new to them.”
The boys host Eastlake this Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 1, at Mount Si Golf Course.
• Learn more about Mount Si golf at http://www.kingcogolf.com/home/boys-golf/4a-league/results-by-team/mount-si
