By Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

KENT - Water on the treacherous back nine at the Riverbend Golf Club sunk the efforts of the Mt. Rainier boys golf team in a 79-26 loss to visiting Kentwood on Thurs., Sept. 4.

"Playing the back nine (instead of the front nine) caused some problems with too any penalty strokes," said Ram head coach Rob Caudillo . "Last week in tryouts the team played to 10 or so less strokes. They're disappointed. I'm encouraged because they know that we can do better.
The team has a good work ethic and we look for each player to get one or two shots better each match."

In trying times for the entire team, Zac Lockhart carded a 51 on the par 36 set up while leading Mt. Rainier with seven points scored. Three-year letter winner and captain Alex Seifert led in the low score category with a 49 while scoring six points.

"I struggled with my chipping last year and am still working on it," said Mt. Rainier senior Seifert. "I'm shooting better, match wise. In this first match, I was proud of my short game. After having only six players last season, we now have eight which will help us avoid forfeits. Seeing everyone working together with good attitudes makes it exciting to be here."

Next in the Ram scoring effort was Daniel Song who posted a 52 for five points.

"It wasn't my best match," he said. "everything started going downhill. "It's not unreasonable to shoot under 40. We're just not used to the back nine."

in most matches, the teams play the easier front nine.

Bryant Welch notched four points as a result of shooting a 56. Austin Prkut (60) and Mateo Lopez (62) each contributed two points of the team total.

Kentwood had the day's medalist in freshman Nathan Cogswell who birdied the par four 10th hole and the par five18th hole en route to a 1-under 35 and 19 points. Other Conk player scores and points include Nick Perry (40, 14), Mason Koch (41,13), Vincent Ota (42, 12), Brayden Seims (43, 11) and Austin Holm (45, 10).

Seifert and Prkut are battle tested returning seniors whule Song brings his skills back as a junior. Lockhart is an exciting freshman with great potential according to coach Caudillo while sophomore Welch returns for more experience. Lopez played last year, but was in only only one match, but looks to develop as the season progresses.

Jeff Mills assists Caudillo in the coaching duties.