The unpredictability of the weather could play a significant factor if the Willamette Valley's record-setting spring precipitation continues in May. "On the courses we've playing this year if you miss a green you have an easy chip - this is going to be a lot more difficult if you miss greens." Greens are going to be a little bit more tricky to hit, they're elevated, so a miss on the green equals a 30-yard miss," Swartout said. "It's pretty wide open so off the tee you can just swing away. The 6,300 yard course is the home of the Oregon State University golf team and a regular host to high school state championship events. The venue for this year's state tournament is a familiar course to Newberg's golfers. "We're out of firsts, let's start doing some other firsts." "We're starting to build a little bit," Quant said. With the stability of a full season under their belts, the Tigers are eager to push the ceiling of the golf program's expectations. Newberg edged Sherwood by six strokes in the final regular season match of the season to win its first league title in school history and followed by placing 14th out of 24 teams at the Culmination Tournament held at Stone Creek Golf Course in Oregon City.Ī D V E R T I S I N G | Continue reading below "I had a better team that year than I did in '19, but we just never got that season off the ground," Quant said.ĭespite the loss of valuable developmental opportunities, the Tigers came out in the shortened 2021 season and put together an unexpectedly strong showing, led by Greller's exceptional freshman season. We hadn't had any success."īut before Quant could capitalize on the team's momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic erased the 2020 season three days before the first tournament. "We were in the Three Rivers League with the real powerhouse schools. "The state tournament in '19 was kind of surprising," Quant said. Newberg placed third in the regional qualifier that year to make the program's first state tournament in school history. Quant joined the team as an assistant in 2016, becoming head coach in 2019 the same year the Tigers moved to the Pacific Conference. Before we had three and then you'd have to put guys in there to fill out the rest of the team." "We've got six guys who can play varsity. "I have more depth now than Newberg golf has ever had," Quant said. Junior Palmer Thompson earned second team recognition, while freshman Liam Flanigan and junior Drew Harris each were honorable mention picks.Īdd in senior Logan Chadwick, who was tied for sixth at Quail Valley with an 81, and the Tigers have a formidable sextet heading into state championship tournament May 16-17. The sophomore was joined on the first team by senior teammate Garrett Swartout, a transfer from the Aloha School District. "We've put a lot of good individual round scores in at tournaments, but I think if all four of us play good for two days then I believe we can place top five (at state)," Greller said. Led by sophomore Ray Greller, the Tigers have put together the best season in program history, winning five of six conference matches and earning five all-conference nominations across the team's varsity roster.Īfter winning the individual league title last year, Greller put together a stellar campaign in 2022, culminating in a season-best 3-under par 69 at Quail Valley Golf Course on May 2 to place second in the Pacific Conference and earn first team honors once again. "We're not going to win the state tournament, but I think we could surprise some people," coach Ron Quant said. Three years later, the program is celebrating its second consecutive Pacific Conference title and is heading into the two-day event at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis looking to turn some heads. In 2019, the Tigers made their debut at the Class 6A state championship tournament, placing 14th as a team. The rise of the Newberg boys golf program has been as meteoric as it has been unexpected. Program reaching new heights following first state berth in 2019, first league title in 2021
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