Tim Martinez: New wave of Washougal golfers look to carry last season’s success

Even more impressive was the Panthers sent their whole team to state. And that came with a little added drama.

At the 2A district tournament, Keegan Payne had to win a playoff hole to earn the last spot to state.

Payne hit his tee shot on the long par 3 with five feet of the hole, while his opponent was off the green and had to chip. Payne sunk his birdie putt to advance.

“It’s a really great story,” coach Michael Minnis said. “Keegan Payne had a knee-knocker to go to state. And he drained it. I’ve got the video, and we’re all screaming and yelling. That was one of our goals — to get all six to state. It was quite the accomplishment.”

Four of the six state qualifiers graduated last June, leaving Acker and Maddox to lead the new wave of golfers for Washougal.

“Yeah, last season was unbelievable,” Maddox said. “Me and Mason are the only ones here from last season, but we’re hoping to carry that through.”

Bolstered by last year’s success and a partnership with Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club that gives Washougal the rare privilege in Clark County of having a home course that it doesn’t share with another high school squad, Minnis reports that the program has 28 golfers out this fall.

Minnis is leaning on Acker and Maddox to set the tone for this year’s squad. Both have been named team captains.

“There’s pressure in being a leader,” Minnis said. “And we’ve had those conversations because they are teenage boys. They have the responsibility to help us coaches communicate to the rest of the team.”

Minnis said Acker has grown a lot in the past year, providing more vocal leadership for his younger teammates.

“Just playing with them and being around them, I think is really important,” Acker said. “Just letting them ask any questions. It’s really as much as you can do.”

Maddox is a bit more quiet and leads by example.

“Playing the conditions and playing with them, it helps seeing what we go through,” Maddox said. “Having them at practices and being at our tournament, helping them see what it takes to play on a varsity team.”

And that’s what Minnis likes about his leaders.

“They bring a lot of maturity and consistency to the game,” Minnis said. “They are not flashy. They just kind of playing boring golf, and that’s what I like.”

Acker and Maddox know the success they experienced as a team at state last year will be hard to re-create this year.

But they can start by trying to bring back the friendships and camaraderie that was at the heart of last season’s squad.

“I think we bonded so good (last year),” Acker said. “We always, outside of golf, we always hung out with each other. Obviously we miss the four seniors that left us, but there’s a new start for Washougal golf.”