Caruso and Bott golfing well

PASCO–Chase Caruso continued her winning ways at Sun Willows Golf Course here Monday, April 24, shooting an 84 for first-place honors, with teammate Brady Bott tying for second in the boys' division with an 82, according to Al Damron, Head Coach of the golf team.

Both members of the Pirate Golf Team are tuning up for the final push to Sub-District and District golf matches. "With the post season just around the corner, we are in a very strong position of hoping for a few spots in the state tournament in Tumwater on May 22 and 23," Damron said.

Kiersten Bartels finished third with 100 and Grayson Slaybaugh knocked 10 strokes off his previous best, carding a 90.

The team's next outing is May 2 at Pullman's Palouse Ridge Golf Course.

Bott fired a 77 at a league match at Crystal Springs Golf Course April 15, good enough for low-scoring honors for the Pirates, Damron said. Caruso finished with an 87 to be the top golfer at a match played at Walla Walla's Veterans Memorial April 12.

In the league match in Pomeroy on April 15, Slaybaugh carded a personal best of 85. Teams from St. John-Endicott/LaCross, Tekoa, Liberty Christian (Walla Walla) and non-league team Dayton-Waitsburg competed in the match.

At Veterans in Walla Walla on April 12, Bartels ended up in fourth place behind Caruso, carding a 103, and Elena Morfin scored 119, Damron said. In a tie for third place was Bott with 93, and Reggie Ott scored a 99 and Grayson Slaybaugh came in at 110.

"All were good scores with cold windy and wet conditions," Damron said.

Caruso finished with a third-place medal at the Nels Nelson Invitational tournament, held at Pendleton's Wildhorse Golf Club on Monday, April 10. Bott tied for sixth place.

"Both were excellent performances," said Damron, "considering they were competing against some of the biggest schools in the state of Oregon."

At that match, Slaybaugh came in with 108, and Bartels had 115.

Chase Caruso finished at the top of the girls with an 82 when Pomeroy played an 18-hole match at Clarkston's Quail Ridge Golf course on Tuesday, March 28.

Bartels finished with a personal best of 94 to place second.

Scoring another personal best, Bott carded a 79 tied for second place. Reggie Ott Jr. and freshman Slaybaugh tied at 100.

"To see the kids play their best is always a bonus," the coach observed, "especially in tough weather conditions."