Sequim’s Lady Wolves golf team looks poised to be among the elite in the coming years behind Alex McMenamin.
The Wolves freshman placed third at the 2A WIAA state tournament on May 28-29 at the Classic Golf Club in Spanaway. McMenamin’s placement may be Sequim’s highest since at least the 1990s and since Zoei Zbaraschuk took fifth in 2010, Sequim coach Garrett Smithson said.
McMenamin, the Olympic League MVP, shot an 85 on day one and an 86 on day two for 171 behind Fife’s Kendall Gray who took first shooting 159 (79, 80) and Bellingham’s Jenn Paul 160 (82, 78).
“She did really good,” Smithson said. “She even could have done a lot better. She had a couple of bad breaks on day one that weren’t going her way but she was all business. She could have given up a few times.”
McMenamin was the lone underclassmen among the top players, Smithson said, “and she has a very special high school career coming up.”
Fellow Olympic League competitors Dana Fox, a senior with Port Angeles, shot 180 (92, 88) to take sixth and Kingston’s Aimee Zehrung tied for seventh with four other golfers at 184 (96, 88).
For McMenamin to win a championship in the next three years, Smithson said she has the game and swing down — she just needs to keep playing.
“She’ll be tournament tested and has a big schedule with the Washington Junior Golf Association playing in seven or eight tournaments this summer,” Smithson said.
Looking to next spring, the Lady Wolves have a good shot at a league title and placing at state, Smithson said, with several opponents’ best players graduating and Wolves’ all-league selection Brianna Kettel, Kailee Price, who earned an alternate spot to state, McMenamin and more returning.“Next year is going to be really good,” he said.
Boys send 3 to state
The boys’ golf team’s prospects remain high despite less than ideal results at the state tournament at Chambers Bay in University Place.
Sophomore Jack Shea, who shot an 88 on day one, junior Travis Priest (91) and senior Jesse Francis (103) failed to make the second day cut. Shea missed out by just two strokes.
Sequim coach Bill Shea said the course, which hosts the 2015 Men’s U.S. Open, is tough.
“The biggest challenge was adapting to the style of course. It’s very links style, very Northwest,” he said. “They had to adapt their chipping and putting style.”
The boys had one practice round the day before, Bill Shea said, but there was too much to learn in one round.
“I could see the disappointment in their faces,” he said. “But sending three to state was a gratifying experience. We would have liked at least one of the kids go to day two but we felt good about the season.”
The Wolves lose three seniors to graduation, Anthony Pinza, Francis and Henry Markham, their top three, five and sixth golfers.
Next year’s tentative returning team includes Jack Shea, Priest, Alex McCracken, a junior, and Arnold Black.
“How much they want to improve depends on how much time and energy they want to spend on improving,” Bill Shea said.
“There are great junior tournaments throughout the summer. They just need to keep up their competitive edge.”
