SOAP LAKE — The challenge was twofold for the field of 2A golfers trying to find the groove Thursday afternoon at the CWAC non-league match at Lakeview Golf & Country Club in Soap Lake.

The first was the putting and short game. No amount of early practice measures up to live golf under tournament conditions. Then there was the small, tactical greens at Lakeview Golf & Country Club that require accuracy and a delicate touch on the approach.

They had to come in high with enough spin to stick shots close, most shots didn’t stop on the hard surface that had been mowed for the first time that morning.

Golf in the early spring has its challenges, but three of the top teams in the Central Washington Athletic Conference were up for the task as they played through gusting winds. The good news was that the temperature was right around 60 degrees.

Selah’s Dylan Apadaca birdied the 395-yard, par-4 10th hole and played his way to a 1-over-par 37 on the back nine to win medalist honors with a round of 76. Ephrata’s John Rawley, playing in the same group with Apadaca, came in one stroke back at 77. Tiger teammate Sean Couture finished with 79 and Ephrata freshman Jayce Moore had an 87.

“It feels like a late start. We started in an open field at the grade school and we haven’t had much time to work on putting or the short game,” said Ephrata boys coach Greg Hewitt. “I feel like we’re in a good spot. We’re young in terms of experience, but I’m seeing vast improvement.”

Hewitt switched his lineup around a bit for the non-league match with East Valley and Selah. He went with Rawley at the No. 1 spot and moved his normal No. 1 guy Couture to the No. 3 group to see if he can’t find some consistency.

“Sean’s in a funk right now, but he normally shoots in the 70s. John will shoot high 70s to low 80s, and hopefully make that move to get down into the mid-70s,” Hewitt said. “Jayce is just a freshman. I have him at No. 2 today. He’s in the mid 80s right now, but getting better, fast. We’re still looking for that No. 4 score in the mid-80s. Right now, my four-five-and-six guys have to step up.”

Liberty High School in Issaquah ran away with the 2A state tournament last season. The Tigers finished 12th. Ethan Boyd had a top 20 finish. Couture was in the top 40. But it’s a new season with new guys looking to carry on a strong Ephrata tradition, Hewitt said.

“These are the top teams in the CWAC here today with East Valley and Selah,” he said. “I was happy with the way we played. I think we’re on the right track.”

The Tigers will play at the Joe Lenburg Classic in Yakima on March 31.

Team scores: 1. Ephrata 334. 2, East Valley 357, Selah 357

Medalist: Dylan Apadaca, Selah, 76

Ephrata scores: John Rawley, 77; Sean Couture, 79; Jayce Moore, 87; Gus O'Donnell, 91; Cody Follett, 99; Nate Otte, 111.