Crescent Valley senior enjoys another solid round for individual title

The weather cooperated again Tuesday and Willie Mathews put together another solid round.

The result was the Crescent Valley High senior shooting a 2-under par 70 to win the Mid-Willamette Conference boys golf district tournament at Trysting Tree.

The 70 followed a 71 in Monday’s first round, giving Mathews a total of 141 for 36 holes, three shots better than West Albany junior Nick Sherwood.

The tournament’s two days didn’t bring the usual breezy conditions found on the course.

“I think today was another gift from God with the weather. It definitely helped that it wasn’t acting up like it usually does,” Mathews said. “Today it was perfect weather, just like yesterday, and I just came out with the same strategy ... get it around the golf course in as few strokes as I can.”

Crescent Valley came up two shots short of West Albany, as the Bulldogs shot four shots better than Monday to finish at 600.

The Raiders had two players — Mathews and Scott Reinke — score better than Monday.

Reinke shot a 76 after scoring an 87 on Monday to finish at 163.

“Definitely wasn’t a day where everybody didn’t play to their full potential,” Mathews said. “I know what they can shoot.”

But the second-place finish still qualifies CV for the 5A state tournament, held next Monday and Tuesday at Trysting Tree.

The Raiders will be defending their state championship.

South Albany, on the strength of its two best 18-hole rounds of the year, edged out Corvallis for third place by seven strokes.

Corvallis sophomore Roan Dickey played well enough to grab one of three individual state tournament spots available to players not on the top-two teams.

Dickey shot an 83 Tuesday for a two-day total of 162.

“It was tough but I got it done,” he said. “I hope to play better next week.”

Dickey said he felt the pressure of playing among the tournament leaders.

“I felt like I could have played much better than I did. I think I choked a lot because this was my first time in this position,” he said.

Doug Albee of Dallas (77-77—154) and Shane Stearns of Silverton (83-78—161) were the other individual qualifiers.

Mathews was joined by teammate Mike Ulstad (70-78—148) on the all-league first team.

Dickey, Reinke and CV’s Tyler DeSpain (76-82—158) and Sam Pape (80-81—161) were named to the second team.

Corvallis’ Spencer Huddleston (85-81—166) and Brad Rondeau (86-85—171) were selected honorable mention.

As well as Mathews played, he left a few extra shots on the course.

He noted a 4-foot putt on 13 that he simply pulled, among others.

Mathews said he’s looking forward to playing on his home course again next week.

“This is a big momentum-builder for myself and my team,” he said.

Team scores: West Albany 600, Crescent Valley 602, South Albany 671, Corvallis 678, Dallas 698, Silverton 744, Lebanon 751, Woodburn inc.

Medalist: Willie Mathews, Crescent Valley, 71-70—141

Individual qualifiers: Doug Albee, Dallas, 77-77—154; Shane Stearns, Silverton, 83-78—161; Roan Dickey, Corvallis, 79-83—162

Individual scores

West Albany (302-298—600): Nick Sherwood 74-70—144, Hans Reimers 72-76—148, Eli Mendez 78-76—154, Collin Wulff 87-76—154, Jake Irving 81-84—165

Crescent Valley (297-305—602): Willie Mathews 71-70—141; Mike Ulstad 70-78—148; Tyler DeSpain 76-82—158; Sam Pape 80-81—161; Scott Reinke 87-76—163

South Albany (336-335—671): Tyler Lomax 86-79—165; Erik van Keulen 85-81—166; Kyle Tudor 81-90—171; Brett James 84-91—175; Zac Grenz 98-85—183

Corvallis (340-338—678): Roan Dickey 79-83—162; Spencer Huddleston 85-81—166; Brad Rondeau 86-85—171; Tayler Schmidt 90-89—179; Mike Davidson 93-89—182

Dallas (345-353—698): Albee 77-77—154; Schepige 86-90—176; Stephenson 89-95—184; Morod 93-98—191; Searles 106-91—197

Silverton (373-371—744): Stearns 83-78—161; Kutsev 100-82—182; Tweed 91-105—196; Scheratski 99-106—205; Whaley 105-119—224

Lebanon (386-365—751): Greg Thompson 91-81—172; Scott Schofield 89-97 —186; Josh Urrutia 101-93—194; Michael Sailsbury 112-94—206; Justin Albion 105-116—221

Woodburn (inc.-inc.—inc.): Hannon 99-90—189; Pister 95-99—194; Yakis 110-92—202