If the 6A State Preview is any indication, Jesuit is going to be tough to beat in the 6A boys golf championships.
The Crusaders were on their game in the 6A State Preview tournament Wednesday, April 24, on the state course at Quail Valley Golf Club in Banks, shooting a 2-over-par 290 to beat Lake Oswego (299), Wells (311), Westview (312) and West Linn (316) in the 21-team event.
“It’s a confidence-builder and something to feel good about,” Jesuit first-year coach Matt Schulte said. “Our focus is staying in the moment, trying to stay humble and hungry. We’re not trying to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
The Crusaders’ top finisher was senior Mason Zimmerman, the tournament runner-up with a 2-under 70. Jesuit’s other scorers were juniors Jack Harrington (71) and Joseph Ulrich (74) and senior Grady Brown (75).
Lake Oswego sophomore Drew Woolworth was the medalist with a 69, two days after firing a 7-under 65 to win a Three Rivers League tournament at Tualatin Country Club. He was followed by Zimmerman (70), Grants Pass sophomore Carson Krauss (70), Lakeridge senior Nilay Naik (71) and Harrington (71).
The Crusaders’ performance came two days after they shot 300 in a Metro League tournament at Quail Valley to finish four strokes behind rival Westview.
The State Preview, the precursor to the state tournament May 13-14 at Quail Valley, marked Jesuit’s first competition this season against reigning state champion Lake Oswego. The Crusaders rose to the challenge.
“We shot a great score, but those other teams can go out and shoot that score, too,” Schulte said. “There’s a lot of work ahead. Our goals are still out there.
“I think these guys are really looking forward to playing their best golf, and I hope that’s still to come. The State Preview was great, and we talked about getting confidence from that round, then putting it behind us.”
Lake Oswego’s leading scorers were Woolworth, seniors Adam Wrenn (72) and Adam Blackmore (79) and freshman Nathan Pai (79). Third-place Wells’ scoring came from senior Lucas Devlin (72), junior Otto Laprete (76), senior Dawson Auvil (79) and freshman Roman Scherzer (84).
Westview, which has split six Metro tournaments with Jesuit this season, was hampered by the absence of its best player, senior Andy Yang.
Jesuit got a big round from Zimmerman, who bounced back from shooting a 77 at Quail Valley in Monday’s Metro tournament, finishing tied for seventh. He shot 2-under Wednesday, racking up six birdies to offset four bogeys (all on the front nine).
“He’s playing really strong golf all-around, showing a lot of toughness,” Schulte said. “He’s really responding well to what the course throws at him and really just keeping his head level. He left shots out there. There’s a very low number that he can go out and get.”
Harrington has typically been Jesuit’s No. 1 this season, with Zimmerman No. 2 and Brown No. 3. Each has taken a turn as the low man, including a scorching 66 by Brown at The Reserve Vineyards.
Schulte likes how his team has avoided distractions.
“We’re aware of other teams, but we’re mostly talking about our own game,” he said. “This is really about us and how we play our game, and staying present in the moment.”
Schulte took over as coach this year, replacing Jason Barry, who succeeded longtime coach Jay Minsker. Jesuit won eight of its nine state championships under Minsker, the last three in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Jesuit went on to win the Metro League tournament at Portland Golf Club on April 29, to earn the league’s No. 1-seed and an automatic bid into the upcoming state tournament. Westview can still qualify for state by way of a regional tournament next week.
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