Boys State 3A Golf Tournament: Ryan Howe Shines Despite Near Hole-in-One

The Boys State 3A Golf Tournament kicked off with excitement at the Creek at Qualchan, where Cheney High School sophomore Ryan Howe showcased remarkable skill and resilience. During the second round, Howe launched his shot on the challenging 204-yard par-3 11th hole, watching as the ball soared beautifully toward the green. To his astonishment, it landed just an inch away from the hole, settling at a mere 3 inches from the cup. Although his first hole-in-one eluded him, Howe made a confident tap-in for a birdie and concluded the day with an impressive score of 1-over 73.

Howe’s reaction was a mixture of disbelief and joy. “I didn’t think it was going to be that close,” the talented sophomore stated. His shot had initially appeared to veer left, but as it approached the flag, Howe’s excitement grew—the possibility of scoring a hole-in-one became tantalizingly real. His impressive performance helped him and his teammates achieve their first goal: finishing in the top eight to qualify for the second round. This was a significant improvement after falling short the previous year due to a youthful roster.

The Cheney Blackhawks faced a breezy day, ultimately finishing the day at 17-over 305, just three strokes behind Bellevue. The team not only secured their spot for the next round but also positioned themselves competitively in the title chase. Howe acknowledged the collective effort, asserting, “None of us played really well, but we all played solid enough to put up a decent score as a team.” With determination and teamwork, the Blackhawks demonstrated they are ready to contend for the championship.

The first nine holes proved to be smooth sailing for Ryan and his teammates, as each player recorded better scores on the front nine than on the back. This pattern was consistent as the team’s lineup included sophomores Brayden Anderson (76), Justin Krasselt (77), and Blake Kernen (79). Reflecting on his performance, Howe commented that he managed to hit nearly every fairway and green on the front nine, resulting in a score of par 36. However, the back nine presented challenges, where Howe found himself missing key shots but remained resilient thanks to his short game.

Howe’s performance included a brief highlight as he birdied the par-5 15th after driving the 340-yard hole, leaving him at 1-under. Unfortunately, a miscalculation on the following hole led to a double bogey on number 16 after his second shot landed in the water. However, Howe refused to let this setback affect his game, rebounding with a birdie on the par-5 18th for a satisfying finish.

The Cheney coach, Justin Fayant, praised the boys’ efforts, noting, “The front side is the easier side, so we knew it was going to be a dogfight on the back.” He emphasized the importance of the team’s response to challenges and commended the group’s determination to finish strong. Howe’s impressive first-round performance, combined with contributions from his teammates, set the stage for a promising second round.

As the tournament progressed, Mountain View’s Grady Millar held the top score of the day at 71, marking the only under-par performance of the round. Following closely behind were Ballard’s Lucas Williams at 72, while Ryan Howe found himself tied for third alongside notable players like Theo Snyder of Gig Harbor and Teigen Brill of North Central. With fierce competition, the stakes became even higher as Central Valley’s Chase Sturgis rounded out a seven-way tie for sixth place with a score of 74.

In the girls’ division, Bellevue claimed the lead with an impressive score of 323, five shots ahead of Gig Harbor at Indian Canyon. Meanwhile, Ridgeline finished 11th with a score of 374, missing the cut for the next round. Highlighting noteworthy individual performances, Mountain View’s Alyssa Rigby shot an impressive 3-under 69, putting her one stroke ahead of Bellevue’s Tatum Otto.

Shifting to the 4A division, Lewis and Clark junior Jack Brigham made headlines with a remarkable 2-under 70 round at Hawks Prairie in Lacey. Brigham found himself at 4 under after sinking back-to-back birdies on Nos. 12 and 13, but a double bogey on No. 16 moderated a strong performance. Bryce Johnson also contributed to Lewis and Clark’s compelling team score, finishing with a 75, combining for a team total of 304 that tied them with Skyline but left them 11 strokes behind Newport.

In the 2A category, Parker Lee’s solid 75 led the Pullman boys to first place with a cumulative score of 311. Teammates Trae Fredrickson, Parker Legreid, and Karson Dunlap added scores of 76, 78, and 82 respectively. Bainbridge and Columbia River followed in the ranks, while Washougal’s Mason Acker claimed the individual lead with a score of 71. For the girls, West Valley’s Melia Cerenzia opened strong with an 82 but trailed significantly behind top competitor Jana Knapp.

The excitement continued in the 1A division, where the Medical Lake girls found themselves leading Overlake by a solid six strokes at Liberty Lake. Kali Rowe’s outstanding performance set the tone for the Cardinals, with additional contributions from teammates Madison Griffis and Madi Spring. In the boys’ categories, Cascade Christian’s Zeke Prociw led the way with a strong 1-under 71.

The 2B/1B competition also brought forward exceptional performances, with Freeman sitting atop the team standings thanks to Lily Knight’s excellent score of 84. Supporting teammates Kassie Broers and Ashlynn Meenach bolstered the squad, while Knight shared the first-place position with Cle Elum-Roslyn’s Riley Wilfong.

As the tournament unfolded, all eyes will be on the potential challengers in both boys’ and girls’ divisions as they approach the concluding rounds. With pivotal moments already documented, the stage is set for thrilling finishes in the State 3A Golf Tournament. Fans can look forward to seeing how Ryan Howe and his fellow competitors respond in the high-pressure environment as they march toward the championship title.