Mount Si’s golfers were hot out of the gate with three consecutive wins over Bothell, Liberty and Skyline. In the closest match, the Wildcats beat Skyline in a playoff on Sept. 13 to keep their clean record intact at press time.
“I think they’re incredibly strong this year, hitting the ball farther and getting better and better,” said coach Robert Bostwick. “We’re 11-12 deep on varsity. There’s lots of competition to earn spots to be the 10 top competitors each week. That’s good for a coach.”
Each team takes its top five individual scores over nine holes for its final tallies. Mount Si notched season lows of 182 and 185 on the Snoqualmie Ridge and Mill Creek courses, respectively.
Against Skyline, the two squads were deadlocked at 193 after nine at Snoqualmie Ridge, and the top five scoring players for each team competed in the playoff on the same hole. Mount Si triumphed on the first playoff hole with Drew Warford leading the way with an eagle and his younger brother Hogan notching a birdie.
Defending 4A state champ Drew Warford, now a junior, medaled in the Bothell and Liberty matches with a 3-under 33 at Snoqualmie and a 2-under 34 at Mill Creek.
Warford, who also earned Pacific Northwest regional titles for his age group two years straight, entered the prep season in prime form, said Bostwick, adding that Warford possesses consistently strong approach shots and putts.
“He always gives himself a chance with a birdie,” the coach said. “He doesn’t get himself into trouble.”
Other top returners are junior Cooper Neil, who competed at state last year, and senior Cole Bostwick, the coach’s son. The Wildcats named Cole and fellow senior Jack Murphy and junior Nate Harris as their team captains.
On the newcomer front, there’s freshman Hogan Warford, who’s challenging the top guys and scored a 1-under 35 at Mill Creek. Along with Neil and Bostwick, he’s stellar on the fairways and greens.
“His future is really bright,” the coach said. “He leads by example, and as a freshman, has earned the trust and respect of his teammates.”
