Mount Si High golfer Drew Warford captured the 4A KingCo medalist tournament title on Oct. 15 at Snohomish Golf Course. Following the two-day tourney, both Warford and teammate Cole Bostwick emerged as state qualifiers for the spring event.
Warford shot a 2-under 36-34-70 on day one and won by two strokes over Eastlake’s Costas Panay and Redmond’s Akshay Anand, who both shot even-par on the day. Panay’s marks were 37-35-72 and Anand’s were 36-36-72.
“Tons of hours I put in every day, all summer long. I don’t think I go a day without practicing in the summertime,” junior Warford said of the key to his success. He won the 4A state individual championship last spring with a 70-67-137 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick.
Striking the ball well and hitting fairways were vital parts of Warford’s game at last week’s tourney.
“Nothing really bothered me out there,” said Warford, who admitted to not playing his best on day two, but he got into a positive mental zone and formed a solid score. The University of Washington-committed linkster has been visiting a golf mental coach for 2 1/2 years and has greatly benefited from those sessions.
Warford finished with a 70-72-142 and Bostwick ended up with a 77-76-153. Anand shot a 3-under on day two and finished with a 72-69-141, which was tops amongst the entire field. Panay scored a 72-70-142.
“I was confident in my shots, just playing smart golf. Try not to get yourself in a lot of trouble,” senior Bostwick said of his solid performance. He noted that having a positive mindset is crucial while “taking your poison” (dealing with the shots in front of him) and making the best of the situation.
“It feels really satisfying when you know you worked hard and it all clicks,” Bostwick added about qualifying for his first state tourney.
Redmond finished ahead of Eastlake, 583-594, and the two squads are set for state in the spring. There may be a third 4A KingCo team in Mount Si — which took third with 609 points — and that will be determined in March when other districts begin their golf seasons and officials see how many 4A squads are competing, according to Redmond head coach Steve Wiebe.
Mount Si — the regular-season 4A KingCo champs in a tie with Eastlake and Skyline — received stellar play all around on day two on Oct. 16 to secure the No. 3 spot.
Warford led the team with a low round of 72, followed closely by the other three who made up the Wildcats’ four-man score: Bostwick with a 76, Cooper Neil with a 78 and Hogan Warford with a 79. Robbie Neilsen ended with an 83 and in individual play, Noah Lange notched a 78.
Bostwick also plays baseball for Mount Si and said his swing and core and leg strength cross over from the diamond to the golf course.
He feels some pressure in the golf realm, but added that “you have trust yourself” in order to reap success.
“If you have a good day or a bad day, you’ve gotta keep getting better,” Drew Warford said.
