Two top-10 finishes at state, two Olympic League MVPs, one girls team league title, five competitors at state plus three more at districts and Sequim’s golf squads had another exemplary year putting the right numbers on the greens this spring.
Jack Shea and Alex McMenamin, both league MVPs who shot 36.9 and 39.4 on nine hole averages in the regular season, led the Wolves at the 2A golf state tournament last week.
Shea, a junior, shot a 75 on 18 holes for the first day of the tournament on May 27 at Liberty Lake in Spokane. He followed it with a round of 70 for 145 to finish in a tie for 10th place and 5-over-par with Chase McIntosh of Liberty High.
Boys coach Bill Shea said Jack Shea matched his personal goals to make the second day cut and finish in the top 10.
“Jack’s strong play actually started on the sixth hole of day one,” Bill Shea said. “He was 5-over-par through five holes, then played the rest of the day at even par. The second day he finished up the day at even, so he actually played his last 31 holes even-par.”
Bill Shea said Jack Shea was striking the ball the best he’s ever seen on the second day.
“He had about four or five 10-foot birdies that he missed, but was on pace to shoot in the mid 60s,” Bill said.
“If he keeps working hard, I believe he has a good opportunity to win state next year.”
Aaron Whalen of Ephrata finished in first place, shooting a 66 and 67 for 133 and 7-under-par.
Travis Priest made state for the second year for Sequim, too. He shot an 85 on day one and missed the cut for day two by five strokes.
Bill Shea said Priest set his goals on the season to make state and the second day cut.
“Other than two bad breaks that resulted in a triple and double bogey, he was on pace to reach that goal,” he said. “(Priest) had a great season and all-league honors, so it was a nice way to end his high school golf career.”
Girls send three to state
As a sophomore, McMenamin finished with another top-10 finish at state.
Last year, she placed third and this year tied for ninth place with Stormie Follon of Franklin Pierce shooting an 81 and 84 for 165 at MeadowWood Golf Course’s 18 holes, par-72 course.
“Alex had a great year,” girls coach Gary Kettel said.
“She played well (at state but not to her potential. She had some putting woes but she was playing excellently and hitting the ball great.”
Kenedee Peters of Ephrata finished in first place at 5-under-par with a 139 (71, 68) and 19 shots ahead of second place.
“(State) makes (McMenamin) realize she needs to work a little harder on her game and move to the next level,” Kettel said. “I think she wants to really compete with the players like (Peters) and I think she’ll work harder this next year. It keeps her striving to be better.”
Senior Kailee Price shot a personal best on day one (88) for the Wolves and a 99 on day two to finish at 187 for 30th place.
“With the pressure and surroundings, she had her best round ever,” Kettel said. “I think everything just came together. It was perfect weather with no wind.”
Also a senior, Brianna Kettel shot a 102 in round one to finish six shots from making the day two cut.
“She played all four years and was ecstatic to be there,” Gary Kettel said.
“She had her best personal match to qualify for state at districts at Gold Mountain (on May 19 in Bremerton).”
As a team, Sequim’s girls finished seventh with 42.5 points. “I’m proud of the girls,” Gary Kettel said. “They played hard all year.”
Along with MVP, Brianna Kettel and freshman Sarah Shea were named all-league.
