Freshman Carson Clinton is 1A Golf State Champion

May 24
CHEHALIS - Chelan freshman Carson Clinton played a gritty, consistent two rounds of golf over the last two days, coming out on top with a 2-over par 144 two round total, besting the second place golfer Giap Do from Bear Creek School by two strokes.  Both Clinton and Do were even for the day until Clinton birdied #17, and with the one stroke lead he had over Do on Tuesday, sealed the championship.  Today’s match was a fitting challenge for the top golfers as the wind was quite variable and swirling from many directions, creating some tough reads into the greens.  Over the two rounds, Clinton had only four bogeys and two birdies (both birdies today) and parred the other 30 holes. His fortunes were in doubt today after his tee shot on the par 5 #14 hit a tree and landed in a depression, while his next shot caught another tree, but he was able to hit his next shot the remaining 230 yards and land next to the green, chipping and putting in for the par!. The entire round today was an incredible and exciting golf exhibition between the top two golfers - a real treat to be a part of.

May 23
CHEHALIS - Chelan golfers Carson Clinton (9th grade), Arabelle Finch (11th grade) and Kira Sandoval (12th grade) participated in the first day of the 1A State Golf Championships, held at Riverside Golf Course in Chehalis.  Carson Clinton led off the day for Chelan at 7:40 a.m. under broken skies, which at times was cloudy and a bit chilly, and at others, nice and sunny, but we avoided the rain that we had on Monday for the practice round.  Carson shot very consistently throughout the entire 18 holes, parring all holes except three, ending 3-over par 74 and one stroke behind the leader.  He will be teeing off tomorrow with the final grouping of boys for the second and final day of competition with the field cut to half the original starting number of boys.  He has a great chance to finish high in the standings if he continues his steady play tomorrow.
On the girls side of things, Arabelle and Kira both had some really great holes, but struggled on some as well, and neither was able to make the cut to the second day.  Arabelle shot a 110 and missed the cut by two strokes (tied for 24th), while Kira shot a 114 (tied for 33rd).