Hoquiam wins back-to-back district boys golf team titles

Hoquiam senior John Sand routed the field to win his fourth consecutive individual district title

By The Daily World • October 25, 2016 10:30 pm

TUMWATER — Hoquiam senior John Sand made sure he left Tuesday’s final round of the District IV 1A boys golf tournament with his individual title in tow. The Grizzlies also made sure to take the team title along as well.

Sand, the first-round leader by eight strokes entering the final round, carded a second-round best 75 for an even-par 144 total and claim his fourth consecutive district individual title by 14 strokes.

Hoquiam, behind Sand and Josh Burgher’s efforts, put all four of its second-round golfers in the top-11 spots to edge out Seton Catholic, 69-67, to defend its district team championship.

“Before last year, Hoquiam had never won a district tournament,” HHS head coach Larry Dublanko said. “Now, with back-to-back titles, that’s a minor historical event for Hoquiam. The kids worked hard. Each one contributed. That has to mean something to them. They battled; it was a narrow victory.

“John played some amazing golf; his score doesn’t reflect how well he played,” Dublanko added. “He was in a class of his own out there.”

Sand cruised through the first eight holes before hitting a triple-bogey on a soupy ninth hole. On the back nine, Sand finished the round with four birdies in the final six holes to finish at even par for the two-day tournament. Seton Catholic’s Sean Ball (158) and Nate Kutch (163) rounded out the top-three spots.

Burgher finished fourth overall for Hoquiam at 169, carding an 89. Ryan Cole was 10th overall at 179 and Brayden Dayton 11th overall at 180. Dayton finished one stroke better than Seton’s fourth golfer, Nick Lamberton.

“Both Brayden and Ryan were sitting on the edge of getting into the second day (on Monday),” Dublanko added. “For them to move up the leaderboard like they did was an amazing feat. they got some help from the field, but they had to play some good golf. They got to the 10th and 11th spots, which may get them to state. We won’t know (until April).”

Trace Thompson was Elma’s lone second-day finisher, taking a tie for eighth at 175. Cody Robinette withdrew from the second round due to injury.

Montesano’s Matthew Plato took 13th overall at 183 and teammates Noah Quinn (14th at 185) and Kyler Doll (16th at 199) got the Bulldogs to fourth in the team race.

State allocations to the state 1A boys golf tournament in late May won’t be determined until April.