By Richard Tetu and Gene Helfman

The Lopez Island High School Golf Team is off to a great start again this year. Eleven girls — eight competing at varsity level — and three boys have started strong. Among the girls, friendly but fierce competition has developed for the six spots available at the district tournament on May 10, with hopes of moving on to Tri-District the following week. Scores are solid and close. Against Friday Harbor, the top six women were all within three strokes of one another. Ratings show they are playing much better than last year, when five qualified for Tri-District and four went on to State. Overall, Siri Dye and Anah-Kate Drahn lead in rankings, with Shayna Gruenwald, Kate Combs, Nora Zapalac, Naomi Vliet, Zoe Reinmuth and Anna Velazquez closing behind.

The boys are also shining. Tobin Arden, fresh off a foursome victory at the Lopez Island Golf Course Soggy Bottom tournament, is back stronger than ever, medaling in all matches so far. Arden has been invited to play in the 2018 Bill Egbers Memorial Tournament, the premier high school event in the state. Reese Hamilton’s rating has dropped 44 points already from last year. Sterling Carfrae has also shown constant improvement. When all three have competed together, the Lopez boys have won all their matches. All this success would be impossible without the generous support of the Lopez Island Golf Club, Lopez High School and a host of community members who donate clubs, balls and money to the team.