>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

SCENIC SWING: Enterprise’s Heather Bruce tees off during the Outlaws Invite Friday. Bruce took first on her home course by carding an 81. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

Only in this story it’s all constructive.

Junior Dakota Hull is feeling the heat from freshman Cole Sajonia.

“It’s helping the team,” Enterprise head coach Mike Crawford said. “They’re pushing each other to get better. But the other players are feeding on it too.”

Hull and Sajonia led the Outlaws to an 88-shot victory at the final tune-up to the district tournament — the Enterprise Invite.

The Outlaws finished with a team score of 298. Four players shot in the 70s.

An extra hole settled the battle for the first-place medal.

Hull finished with a par on the 18th hole of the day. In the next group, Sajonia matched Hull’s par. Both players finished with a 72.

The youngster took the first tee-shot — replaying the opening hole, a par-3.

Sajonia’s shot fell softly on the right side of the green.

“I just got right back into my mental approach,” Sajonia said. “I had a lot of confidence, and have been in these situations during junior golf tournaments. That really helped.”

Hull paid the price for solid contact. His shot fell on the front of the steep, downward-sloped green. Backspin sent the ball down the 10-foot hill.

Sajonia tapped in for par. Hull lipped-out his par putt, giving Sajonia two straight tournament wins.

“It’s a great problem to have as a coach,” Crawford said. “We’re peaking at the right time. If we can keep this up, we could challenge for a state title. But we have to do it on a different course. It’s a little easier to play at home.”

Wallowa’s Tyler Harshfield posted a 78, and the Cougars took second with a team score of 386.

Rex Kanaho fired a tournament best 91 for Imbler.

Blake Posey of Union carded an 86 to led his team.

The lone 4A team took a step backwards.

The Tigers finished with a team total of 410 — fifth-place.

James Mathson led the team from the fifth spot, recording a 96.

Mitchell Henry finished with a 99.

All the teams will head to the Wildhorse golf course Monday for the 4A and 3A/2A/1A District Golf Tournaments.

Team scores

Enterprise 298, Wallowa 386, Heppner 399, Grant Union 400, La Grande 410, Union 415, Imbler 429.

Medalists

Cole Sajonia 72; Dakota Hull 72; Marcus Anderson 76.

Area scores

Cole Sajonia, ENT, 72, Dakota Hull, ENT, 72, Marcus Anderson, ENT, 76; Nick Januzzi, ENT, 78; Tyler Harshfield, WAL, 78; Tyler Warner, ENT, 85; Lucas Stangel, ENT, 85; Blake Posey, UNI, 86; Rex Kanaho, IMB, 91; Jeremy Moore, UNI, 92; James Mason, LG, 96; Mitchell Henry, LG, 99;  Seth Januzzi, ENT, 100; Casey King, WAL, 100; Scott Kausler, UNI, 101; Brandon Mahon, WAL, 103; Andrew Wilson, 105; Chance Waters, WAL, 106; Bryson Ricker, IMB, 107; Taylor Mutch, LG, 107; Chris Gianandrea, LG, 108; Tanner Orton, LG, 108; Jeff Lind, WAL, 111; Jake Arnsen, IMB, 114, Nick Wagner, IMB, 114; Theron Harder, IMB, 117; Jake McLean, IMB, 132; Jesse Black, UNI, 136; Tyler Soares, WAL, 151.

Bruce bounces back

ENTERPRISE — A television crew was the only thing missing from the Alpine Meadows golf course Friday.

There was great golf and one overwhelming gallery.

The first group of Heather Bruce, Keri Urbanski, Anna Michrina and Maggie Armato had 20 people acting as a shadow.

Bruce allowed the gallery to see the game that allowed her to win the district title as a sophomore a season ago.

Rarely in trouble, the junior fired an 81.

Only pitching and putting slowed her game down.

At the ninth, a par-4, Bruce’s drive stopped 10 feet short of the green. She ended up taking a bogey.

“The greens were fast today,” Bruce said. “It could’ve been a better day. I really just wanted to get back into rhythm.”

After beating the competition by 14 strokes, she’s ready.

Bruce had the flock of followers in disbelief on the par-4 second hole.

A slightly wayward drive went into the medium rough, 142-yards from the pin.

Remembering a lip-out the first time around, Bruce wanted to take that out of the equation.

PRECISE PUTTING: Union’s Anna Michrina navigates the greens at Alpine Meadows golf course Friday. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

After Bruce made contact someone from the gallery yelled, “Be the right stick!”

A few seconds later the ball fell to the green, and trickled up the slope into the hole.

“It’s my first eagle,” Bruce said. “I knew it was on line, but I didn’t realize it was that good.”

 Keri Urbanski, of La Grande, finished the regular season strong.

The Tigers’ leader carded a 95, after a rough start.

Urbanski finished her first nine-holes with a 50. She finished with a 45 coming in, recording four pars.

Even with a quadruple bogey on the ninth-hole, Urbanski finished in second place.

Unions lone golfer, Anna Michrina finished with a 127.

The 4A/3A/2A/1A District Golf Tournament will begin Monday at Wildhorse.

Team scores

Heppner 414; La Grande 426; Enterprise 469.

Medalists

Heather Bruce, ENT, 81; Keri Urbanski, LG, 95; Ballie Keithley, HEP, 99.

Area scores

Heather Bruce, ENT, 81; Keri Urbanski, LG, 95; Darcy Ladendorf, LG, 105; Miranda McCarthy, ENT, 107; Nicole Webster, LG, 111; Kaitlan Kiesecker, ENT, 111; Brenna Christison, LG, 115; Tessa Tsiatsos, LG, 116; Kayla Arquette, ENT, 170.