GRANDVIEW - The Othello boys golf team did not have the best outing on the links Monday as the Huskies finished 53 strokes off the pace at the Grandview Invitational  with a score of 366.

Mt. Baker took top honors with a tam score of 313. Ephrata finished second with 321.

"We struggled on a beautiful day  today," coach Sammy Rocha said. "We struggled with our tee shots, approach shots and putting ...Black Rock Creek (par 72 course) had beautiful, smooth greens. We're not used to fast greens and had way to many three putts, but that's expected early in the year."

Colton Hall  shot the low round of the match for Othello, carding an 84. Trevor Salsbury was just one stroke back with an 85. Tyler Amoruso  turned in a 96, Lucas Garza shot 101, and  C.J. Hawley finished with a 103.

"Colton led the way again for our young team.But he had 40 putts ... 10 more than usual.  He takes those 10 strokes off and he shoots 2 over," Rocha said. " And Trevor, who is usually consistent with his driver, couldn't hit a fairway today, and that's makes it extremely difficult to hit the green on regulation.  He's a great scrambler from the rough but we all know that's no fun, so we'll work on his driver some more this week."

Rocha said Garza shot his best round to date.  

He's come a long way for a second -year golfer and he likes to put the time in," he said. " By the end of the year, he'll be shooting in the 80's."

Amoruso is a work in progress as his mechanics have been off lately. 

"It's tough to break habits and I might have to sit him out so he can hit more range ball," Rocha said.  "It's extremely difficult to relax on the course especially when your swing is under construction, but he loves the sport so he'll put the time in.  C.J. also shot his best round of his short career.  He's in his second year of golf and he has been our most improved player thus far.  I've been impressed with his work ethic because results are obvious in his ball flight.  He's starting to hit the ball pure; now it's just his golf management and mental approach to this game."

The Huskies are back on the links tomorrow for one more match before spring break as the participate in the Southridge Invitational. Tee time is scheduled for noon.

Andrew Whalen led the way for Ephrata with a 70. Byran Heer carded a 77, Aaron Whalen turned in an 84, Tyler Janasz shot 90, and Brandt Monson finished with 99.