Taking a chance paid off for Mule golfers

After the 2007 basketball season, four freshmen, Cody Olsen, Andrew Weiler, Cole Claussen and Justin McClain and sophomore Chase Fritzie asked me if they could get school board approval to form the first high school golf team at Wahkiakum, if I would coach them.

After almost an hour of discussing with the board if this idea could become a reality, it looked like it was not going to happen for one reason or another.

But then board member Mike Quigley made the suggestion "Let's give it a try for one year and see if it works out." There was a second, and before you knew it, we had a golf team.

Now, four years later, these pioneers of the Wahkiakum Golf program have had many great experiences, like accumulating a record of 111 wins and one loss along the way, three District championships and a runner-up finish this year.

Individually, Cody Olsen has won an Individual District Championship (2008), runner-up in 2007 and runner-up in 2009 and qualified for state all four years.

Cole Claussen has made state all four years and made a run at the District title this year, finishing in second after day one.

Andrew Weiler has made the State Tournament three out of four years and was an alternate the year he didn't qualify.

Justin McClain played in two state tournaments and in the first alternate this year after losing a playoff for the last spot.

In 2009, we added another coach to our team, Nick Vavoudis. Nick has been a great fit to our team and does a great job.

Now in 2010 we've added four new freshmen, Peter Weiler, Brooke Calvert, Bryson Coleman, and Bradley Peek and a sophomore, Cullie Brock. These guys are ready to carry on the Mule Golf Team when these four seniors move on to college.

But before we do, we still have one big goal ahead of us: to win the 2010 State Title.

A lot of thanks need to go out to a lot of people that have supported us along the way. A major thank you goes out to Mike and Mary Remer, owners of Skyline Golf Course, for letting us make that our home. We have had countless great times going to and from our matches and a lifetime of memories. And of course, thanks to Mike Quigley; that 111-1 record would never have happened if you wouldn't have said "Let's give it a try."