The Herald asked some of the area’s best golfers what their favorite holes are and why:
Joe Fryer, Kamiak
1st hole, The Creek at Qualchan
The opening hole of the state tournament, the first hole at The Creek at Qualchan, tees off from an elevated tee with a view of the entire course. “It’s a unique hole and I like the tee shot,” said Fryer, who has fond memories of the hole after finishing eighth in state last year as a freshman. It was a cap to a strong season in which he also took second at the Dolan Invitational and the Bill Egbers Memorial Tournament. This year Fryer said his goal is to win a state title.
Rudy Caparas, Lynnwood
Described as “loaded with trouble,” Hogan’s Alley is a tight par-4 with trees bordering the fairway and is Everett Golf &Country Club’s signature hole. An accurate tee shot is a must and Caparas, who said the strongest part of his game is his long game, has that. “It’s very trying hole. It’s fun to see how well you can do on it,” Caparas said. As a freshman, the Royals golfer finished fourth at districts and 11th at state and this year is looking for a top-three finish at state.
Kyle Cornett, Jackson
18th hole, Kapalua-The Plantation Course
The only player to pick a hole outside of the state of Washington, Cornett (right) went for aesthetic over playability. The final hole on the Kapalua course, which is located on the island of Maui, has a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean as it nears the end of its 670 yards. “It comes down the hill and you can see the ocean. It’s beautiful,” Cornett said. The Jackson golfer finished in a tie for sixth place to lead his team to fourth place at the 4A state tournament last year. This year he said his ultimate goal is to win state and to do that he’ll have to beat out two golfers he’s familiar with: Olympia’s Dominick Francks and Eastlake’s Li Yang. Both Franks and Yang finished first and second, respectively, at state last year and Cornett knows them well from playing in a number of tournaments against them.
Jade Borseth, Stanwood
Borseth has a very fond memory of the final hole of the Echo Falls’ course: She recorded her first birdie there. Featuring an island green and framed by a cascading waterfall, the short, par-3 is probably the most famous hole on the east Snohomish county course. Borseth and her Spartans teammates will get to play Echo Falls on April 24 in a Wesco North match. Coming off of a year in which she only had three teammates, the senior is excited about the growth of the Stanwood girls golf program. “We actually had cuts this year,” said Borseth, who hopes to return to state after getting his first experience of it last year.
Chelsea Blackwood, Lakewood
Blackwood picked one of the most iconic holes in the state for her favorite. The 17th at Apple Tree is an island hole that is shaped like an apple. The par-3 hole has nine elevated tee boxes with views of the green and the course. “It’s surrounded by water and you tee off from way above it,” Blackwood said. “I like it because I get to use my irons.” A rough second day at districts kept Blackwood from qualifying for state, but the senior is determined to fix that this year. “I’m really working on staying consistent and not worrying about the ups and downs,” Blackwood said.
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