Rich Rautenstrauch/Chieftain Two new golfers on the Wallowa roster are sophomore Alejandro Mendez, left, and Caevan Murray, a freshman. The pair were practicing their putting at Alpine Meadows last Thursday.

The Wallowa/Joseph golf team traveled to the Echo Hills Golf Tournament on Friday, March 20, playing in their first tournament of the year on the first day of spring break. The team fielded seven players for the trip and finished third in team play amongst six schools.

Coach Marvin Gibbs, who has his roster set, said, “Overall we did OK. I’m pretty happy with the kids.”

Two seniors on the team, Karl Wellens and Alex Coutant, had the lowest scores for the team, with Wellens shooting an 86, and Coutant 94. Junior Kai Oliver, the only Joseph player, shot a 99. Freshman Caevan Murray shot a round of 124. Junior Thomas Jamerson rounded out the team effort with a tally of 126. Sophomore Bryce Melville, the alternate golfer for the team, shot 133. The team total on the day was 403.

Claire Wellens, the only girl golfer to make the trip, shot 108.

Filling out the roster, and new to the team this year is sophomore Alejandro Mendez, who didn’t make the trip.

This year’s Wallowa/Joseph team will compete in the 3A/2A/1A Special District 3 with 13 other teams.

Coach Gibbs said he only had eight days to practice before the tournament and also said when spring break is over things will get better. Next up for the golfers is an April 3 tournament to be held at the Pendleton Country Club.