Baker boys golf claims team, individual titles at Quail Ridge

Ian Crawford, Baker City Herald, Ore.
·1 min read

Apr. 26—Baker freshman Isaiah Jones birdied the first two holes and went on to shoot an even-par round of 70 to win medalist honors at the Baker Invitational boys golf tournament on Monday, April 25, at Quail Ridge Golf Course.

Jones led Baker to the team title. The Bulldogs' top four scores totaled 315 strokes, ahead of runner-up Fruitland, Idaho, at 338, and La Grande in third at 358.

Baker's Jesse Maldonado carded a 76 to place third overall.

Baker's other varsity scores were Kaden Conklin, 82, Gavin Stecher, 87, and Palmer Chandler, 88.

Baker coach Mike Long said players took advantage of the dry weather by starting a few minutes earlier than expected with possible rain forecast later in the day.

"Those guys haven't had the best weather, we finally got a little good weather," Long said. "They play out there all the time, so it's not unusual for them to shoot those scores."

Baker competed against eight other teams — Mac-Hi, Weiser, Ontario, Nyssa, Homedale, Fruitland, La Grande and Vale. Burns had three players, one short of a full team.

Baker had three players in the junior varsity tournament. Owen Higdon had a round of 101, Alex Ritter shot a 107, and Kade Rudi a 127.

Long said Baker has a busy schedule ahead. The girls and boys teams were slated to travel to Walla Walla, Washington, on Wednesday, April 27, the boys have a tournament Friday, April 29, in La Grande, and both boys and girls teams are scheduled to travel to Ontario on May 2.