Golf team looks to move up a notch or two

Spencer Gordon has best shot at state playoff berth

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Mar 17, 2010, Updated Mar 17, 2010

TEEING OFF–St. Helens’ golf coach Dave Lawrence gives newcomer Steven Thomas some instruction at the Lions’ practice facility last week.

John Brewington / The Spotlight

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The St. Helens Lions have some returning golfers with potential to do well in the Northwest Oregon Conference this spring, and some potential to move up a bit in the league standings.

Coach Dave Lawrence said his team has been out working hard at local courses and at the practice facility they have developed on Ross Road. Lawrence is in his seventh year as coach. He’s used some undeveloped city parkland and now partially school district property to put in a driving range and putting green. He uses donated equipment and some of his own to maintain the facility.

The Lions finished tied for sixth in the eight-team league last season, and are looking to move up a few rungs on the ladder this season.

Spencer Gordon, the Lions’ top returnee, just missed snagging an individual berth to state last season. He was on the bubble leading for the spot, when the last player with a chance to unseat him birdied the 16th and 17th holes and then sunk a 20-foot for par on the last hole.

Gordon is the top golfer again this year for the Lions on a senior-heavy team. Chris Semling, Garrett Capsey, Sam Lawrence, Bradley Timmons, and Tyson Myers have the inside track on the top-five varsity. Ben Pardue, Callen Prettyman and Mark Griffith also have shots.

Lawrence said they only lost one golfer from last season, with Gordon, Semling, Capsey, and Lawrence returning.

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