Porter, McNair, state bound for second place Chiefs
Porter, McNair, state bound for second place Chiefs
MOSES LAKE - Only two evenings earlier Moses Lake High School students celebrated their 2011 prom with a new king and queen.
Yesterday, two senior Chiefs - Gabe Porter and Randy McNair - would ascend to a throne they would share with six other young men: As the eight best golfers in the Columbia Basin Big Nine and soon-to-be attendees of another big dance, the Class 4A state finals.
Porter and McNair each shot a 154 to finish tied for fourth behind three Richland Bombers, to spearhead the Chiefs' second place finish at the CBBN District Tournament held at both Moses Pointe and Moses Lake Country Club golf courses.
Moses Lake's 116 trailed only Richland who rolled to a 169.5 title score as they sent five Bombers on to the state meet.
The Chiefs' two state qualifiers trumped the only other school to send a representative, Walla Walla, and their lone advancing golfer.
"It's a big day with Gabe and Randy working hard for four years now to achieve this," Moses Lake head coach J.R. Cox said. "They are two of the hardest working guys on the team. They were good role models for the other guys. I am just pleased because they deserve this. I wanted them to go out strong."
Hunter Thompson of Richland won with a final 147 score after 36 holes.
For Porter, the Chief led after the first 18 holes on a day which was played in rainy, cold, conditions at Moses Pointe. Porter shot a one-over round of 73, while McNair wasn't far behind after shooting a 75.
"I played well the first 18 since I was mentally there and putting well which if you are putting well it will give you a lot of momentum," Porter said. "I ended up putting a little too much pressure on myself to win it in that second 18 and I started getting nervous and things fell apart really fast."
When the meet moved over to the country club, both McNair and Porter would play in better weather conditions but their games were a little off as Porter shot an 81 and McNair rounded out the day with a 79 on the par 72 course.
"They were just making a lot of bogeys and missing some putts," Cox said. "It's the pressure of it with 33 guys playing for eight spots to state. I told them half way through that they were good enough and they didn't have to press to get it done. They really finished strong on those last nine."
Regardless of the slight blip on both boys' respective radars, one fact remained. the two were heading to state.
Both Chiefs shot a one-over during their last four holes which helped them cement state spots.
"I was relieved that I made it to state but I also knew that I had a really good chance at winning the tournament and I choked at the end," McNair said. "Overall I am happy with my performance. I had a good chance at making it last year but stumbled in my second round. Sophomore year I was just learning. This year I had it all together."
Helping make up the team total were Brenden Cox who shot a 174 (89-85) and Nick Sutherland as he finished with a 174 (86-88) as well.
Kellan Roellick (179) and Tanner Montgomery (184) played but did not score toward the team total.
"I didn't expect our team to finish second in the league but we had some players that were just learning and had a lot of talent," McNair said. "We improved from there and those players are hard workers."
Next the only seniors on the Moses Lake team will have one more chance to walk a golf course in the Chiefs' maroon and gold on May 24-25.
"It's a great way to really end high school, going to state," Porter said. "I finally got over that hurdle and made it to state after I came in as a freshman and that has been my goal. I go out and play to win and don't play for second. I am definitely not going to take things lightly and show everyone what I got. It's perfect to be going with Randy. We have been pushing each other all year. It's awesome."
"I am really excited that I get to experience state with Gabe," McNair said. "We've known each other for eight years so going to state together is really cool."
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