The Seaside Seagulls entered this golf season facing a familiar challenge: not if they could rebuild, but how quickly. After a standout performance at the prestigious Marshfield Invitational, it appears the answer is "sooner than expected."
Facing a field that included three reigning state champions and last season's top four 4A teams, the young Seagulls proved they're already a force to be reckoned with. Hosted at the demanding Emerald Valley course, the tournament was a true test of skill and nerve.
Seaside carded a solid team score of 346, tying for eighth with powerhouses like 5A champion Corvallis and top-ranked 4A Marshfield. The victory went to 3A juggernaut Bandon with a stellar 312, but Seaside's score placed them firmly among the state's elite, finishing ahead of several highly-touted programs.
Leading the charge was Xanh Quang, whose impressive round of 74 secured a fifth-place individual finish. He was backed by a consistent team effort: Will Haag (88), Landon Nofield (89), Gunner Norman (95), and freshman Fischer Stevenson (105). This depth is a promising sign for a team in transition.
Head coach Jim Poetsch expressed clear optimism about his squad's trajectory. "In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, we are getting close to being rebuilt," he stated. "Today showed we can compete with the best... I really like the direction we are heading." He praised his team's composure on a challenging new course, highlighting their strong overall play while noting areas for improvement around the greens.
The Seagulls now look ahead to a key Cowapa League match on April 16th, where they'll enjoy the home-course advantage at Gearhart Golf Links against Tillamook.
Meanwhile, consistency is proving to be the winning formula for the Astoria Fishermen. While they may lack a single low-scoring phenom, they boast remarkable balance across their entire five-man lineup, with each golfer consistently shooting in the high 80s or low 90s.
This team-wide reliability was the difference in a tight, three-stroke victory (368-371) over Tillamook at Alderbrook Golf Course. It marked Astoria's second consecutive league win to open the season, demonstrating that a deep, steady roster can be just as effective as relying on one star performer.