EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers’ girls golf team secured the title of district champions after the tournament Monday and will move on to the state championship. This is following the team earning the league title the week prior. 

“I had high hopes for our team; I knew we were going to play good,” said senior Logan Pickeral. “Usually, as a team, we play really well, so I knew we were going to play good this year. Personally, I just wanted to shoot below or in the 90s, and I accomplished that.” 

The Tigers earned first place at the district tournament with a final score of 359, placing six Tigers golfers into state with one alternate. Othello followed in second place with a score of 427.  Other teams in the tourney included Selah, Prosser, East Valley and Ellensburg. The tournament took place over multiple rounds at the Yakima Elks Lodge par 72 course.

This whole season has been a success as they have earned the top spot at every event they have participated in so far this season, said Tigers head coach Tracy Pickeral. 

“Playing at our home course, I was pretty confident that all seven of my girls could make it to state,” said Pickeral. “They all did what they needed to do and scored about where they normally do.” 

Each golfer playing this season is a return player with around two to four years of experience. Senior golfer Jadynn Johnson said the team had shrunk significantly since the previous season, but that allowed them to come together as they advanced in their abilities. 

“It kind of just made us all better together as a team,” said Johnson. 

The coach said the big push this season was to teach the team how to better manage the course and have the players think their way through each round. 

“I don’t think people realize how much of a thinking game golf is, but that’s been our push and I’ve been able to see that in them as we work more,” said Pickeral. “They’re starting to think about where they’re at and where they want to be.” 

Pickeral highlighted senior player Jamie Dwight’s successes going into this season as she has won three district champion titles, four player of the year awards, and second place in state last year.  Dwight said this season she kept herself ready for anything that might come her way and was feeling good going into the district tournament. 

“We had a pod match the week before (and) I played my worst round since freshman year,” said Dwight. “But then I came back and I did really well for districts, placing first with a 77.” 

The team is both nervous and excited for the state tournament this week, as this will be the first time some of them get to go and a return for others, said the coach. They are preparing themselves this week by working on their short game through putting and chipping.  

“I feel a little nervous because I know my game has been different this year, but I also feel really excited to go with the whole team this year,” said Dwight. “Most years it’s just been a few of us, but now we’re going as a full team, which I feel like is going to be very exciting."

Logan Pickeral said the Tigers have a good shot at having the whole team place at state and getting multiple players to move on to the second day of the tournament.  

“I’m just having fun with it, it’s my last year with the girls, so I think I just want to have fun and just play golf,” she said. 

“It’ll be fun to play in my senior year with all my friends and my team,” said Johnson. 

The WIAA 2A Girls State Golf Championship tournament will begin Tuesday at the Tumwater Valley Municipal Golf Club starting at 8 a.m. 

Team Scores: 

EPHR: 359
OTHL: 427
SELA: 473
PROS: 474
EAVL: 487
ELLN: 512 

    Jayme Dwight hits a drive at the Lakeview Golf Course. The senior has earned four player of the year awards, three district champion titles and second at state last year.
  

    Tigers senior Logan Pickeral aims for the green during a practice round at Lakeview Golf Course. She said she spends a lot of time out on the golf course with her father as he helps prepare her for competitions.
  

    Jadynn Johnson hits the ball across the fairway as she heads toward the green. The senior golfer is excited for the opportunity for her and all her teammates to travel to state.
  

    Tigers’ Alyee Roberts putts on the green for the first hole at Lakeview Golf Course. The team is focusing on their short game going into the state tournament.