The first day of the state golf tournaments brought one of the biggest rounds of John Sand’s life on Tuesday afternoon.
Throughout Eastern Washington, Twin Harbors golfers were competing in the opening rounds. For Sand, the 2015 state 1A individual champion, it was a very eventful one that will carry on into today’s final rounds.
At Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, Sand fired a 2-under 70 for second place overall, two strokes behind first-round leader Seton Catholic’s Nate Kutch at the state 1A boys golf tournament. However, Sand was playing in pain after suffering a fractured upper jaw bone during Monday’s practice round.
On the final practice hole on Monday, Sand swung a 6-iron for an approach shot to the ninth green when the club snapped in his hands. The club head hit Sand in the face, causing a large cut to his lower lip.
After Sand and his parents went to the hospital and orthodontist to check and treat the injury on Monday night, they learned later that he fractured his upper jaw above his gum line. He didn’t lose any teeth, but, according to HHS head coach Larry Dublanko, he played on Tuesday — and will play today — in considerable pain.
“He’s drinking water through a straw and it was one of the hottest days in Eastern Washington all year — 95 degrees,” Dublanko said. “He’s not eating. John played amazingly well under those circumstances and he’ll play in the final group (today).”
Sand shot one-over in the front nine, needing a birdie-birdie finish on the final two holes to get there, before he went 3-under on the back nine with two birdies and a 60-foot eagle putt conversion on the 11th hole.
Sand’s teammate, Josh Burgher, fired a 6-over 78 to take a tie for 16th place overall to make the second-day cut, which finished at a tie for 28th place with an 83.
Hoquiam’s Ryan Cole is at a tie for 41st overall at 86 and missed the cut by one stroke. Elma’s Trace Thompson is in a tie for 65th at 93.
State 2A Girls
Aberdeen’s Mari Rabung had a solid first-day round at the state 2A tournament at Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane.
Rabung, a senior, fired a 12-over 84, which is good for a tie for 11th overall to make the cut for today’s second and final round.
“Mari was 10 shots under her career-best 18-hole score,” AHS head coach Dan Sundstrom said. “She sure knows how to peek at the right time. She had birdies on hole No. 4 and on the par-3 No. 11. She almost holed out for an ace on No. 11. She felt like her whole game was just clicking today.”
Two other Aberdeen golfers competed on Tuesday, but missed the cut: Kate Slyter at 102 and Haley Farrer at 111.
State 1A/2B/1B Girls
Two Montesano golfers qualified for the second day after a very tough first day on the Horn Rapid Golf Course in Richland.
Montesano’s Lauren Denholm led the contingent with a 96, good for a tie for 20th overall. Teammate Macey Wecker shot a 97 and will play today. Montesano’s Glory Grubb at 101, Mylaina Parker at 107 and McKenna Millter at 115 all missed the cut, which was set at 100.
State 2B/1B Boys
Results were unavailable at press time. A full round of scores will be available at www.thedailyworld.com/sports once they are available.
