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Oshiro goes low to win RVSPC By Kris Henry Updated: Aug 28, 2022 08:39 PM A A Central Point golfer nears course record in claiming women’s title in City Championships For a second year in a row, Kiana Oshiro flirted with the women’s course record at Centennial Golf Club during the Rogue Valley Stroke Play Championships. And, for a second straight year, falling just shy of that goal was the only thing potentially slowing down the Central Point standout as she shook off a first-day challenge by Quincy Beyrouty to win going away for a repeat title in the women’s championship. After Oshiro and Beyrouty each wrapped up Saturday’s opening round at 67, the 23-year-old Oshiro shot a 65 on Sunday — one stroke shy of the course record set in 2021 by Baylee Hammericksen — to finish at 12-under 132 in the two-day event. A year ago, Oshiro also posted a 65 during her final round to finish 10 strokes ahead of Hammericksen for the women’s title at 133. “It’s just a score that I have to keep going for. It’s tough to get to 64,” said Oshiro. “I was very close today but I just let a little bit of my mental toughness slip but it’s OK, it’s golf. There’s always going to be tomorrow.” Oshiro’s final round Sunday included seven birdies and no bogeys. “My short game really helped me out today,” she said. “Most of my birdie putts were within 5 feet because of my short game.” Beyrouty posted a 70 on Sunday to finish five strokes back of Oshiro at 137, with Payton Canon (143), Johnna Nealy (144) and Baylee Hedgman (150) rounding out the women’s top five. Oshiro was paired with Beyrouty and Canon on both days and credited each for spurring her along as if she was back in her collegiate days. The former Class 5A state champion for Crater High wrapped up her college career this past spring at Oral Roberts University. “Quincy is a great player and Payton is amazing, too,” said Oshior. “Personally I’m excited for their (college) teams because I’m gonna keep an eye on them. They really helped me out with this tournament because I wasn’t too sure going into it what the competition was going to be like. It made me feel like I was back in college, being able to have fun in a good competition.” What also made it fun were the conditions themselves out at Centennial, according to Oshiro. “The course conditions were wonderful,” she said. “The greens are rolling better than they have been. They’ve been taking really great care of the course throughout the summer months. I know we’ve been through kind of a drought these last couple years and they’ve really managed this course very well and really made sure it was ready for the tournament.” Next up for Oshiro will be her first run at the Southern Oregon Golf Championships at Rogue Valley Country Club. “I’m excited for it,” said Oshiro of this week’s event. “I don’t really play much match play so I’m not really sure about it yet. I’m just going to play how I play and see how it goes.” A year after the men’s championship needed a 37th hole to determine a winner in a four-man playoff, this year’s City Championships played out in similar fashion with extra holes needed. Mark Wilson, who had a first-round 70, posted four birdies and one bogey to earn a 69 on Sunday and finish in a first-place tie with Cameron Smith, who equaled each of his main challenger’s scores and had five birdies and two bogeys during his final round. The duo tied for first at 5-under 139, with Wilson edging Smith in the playoff. Messiah Gilbert and Brenden Borck shared third place one stroke back at 140. In the men’s open division, Eric Boucher authored one of the best rounds of the day in finishing with a 71 to climb the ladder and edge Chad Dollarhide by one stroke for the victory. Boucher finished at 152, followed closely by Dollarhide (153) and Jonathan Purtzer (154). In the men’s senior division, John Mansfield denied George Lavalley of a repeat championship with a 2-under 70 on Sunday to back up his opening-round 68. Mansfield’s 138 total proved to be three strokes better than Lavalley, who won with a 144 last year and finished at 141 this time around. Kevin Klabunde used a steady second round to claim the men’s super senior championship, fending off an opening challenge by Craig Vogensen with a 70 on Sunday to finish at 7-under 137. Klabunde held a one-stroke edge on Vogensen, who finished runner-up at 143, after the first round but closed strong to repeat as champion. In the men’s legends division, Nick Viani used an opening-round 71 to help set the stage for a five-shot win over Dan Dixon. Viani posted a 77 on Sunday to come in with a 148, while Dixon posted rounds of 77 and 76 to finish in second place at 153. ROGUE VALLEY STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday’s Final Round (Top 10) MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP Mark Wilson 70-69—139, Cameron Smith 70-69—139, Messiah Gilbert 70-70—140, Brenden Borck 67-73—140, Alex Forristal 72-70—142, Dan Engle 73-72—145, Michael Leonard 71-75—146, James Kelley 70-77—147, Hunter Eberhardt 74-74—148, Travis Campoy 73-75—148. MEN’S OPEN Eric Boucher 81-71—152, Chad Dollarhide 74-79—153, Jonathan Purtzer 78-76—154, James Rudolph 78-77—155, Blake Shields 80-75—155, Mike Nieto 75-80—155, Jeremiah Paladino 73-82—155, Jordan Anderson 81-75—156, Brandon Francis 76-80—156, Jake Rockwell 79-77—156. MEN’S SENIOR John Mansfield 68-70—138, George Lavalley 69-72—141, Aaron Jara 69-75—144, Marty Morlan 75-71—146, Jeff Hunter 75-72—147, John Kandaris 74-73—147, Brad Bills 77-71—148, Scott Tuttle 73-75—148, Kelly Rasmussen 73-77—150, Todd Godsby 75-76—151. MEN’S SUPER SENIOR Kevin Klabunde 67-70—137, Craig Vogensen 68-75—143, Jim Hoffman 73-72—145, Glen Clark 72-73—145, David George 75-72—147, Mark Wilson 79-69—148, Lee Oltjenbruns 75-75—150, Art Aviles 78-75—153, Bryan Schlafke 76-77—153, Chris Littleton 85-70—155. MEN’S LEGENDS Nick Viani 71-77—148, Dan Dixon 77-76—153, Duane Nelson 79-78—157, Larry Sullivan 78-81—159, Dick Brekke 77-83—160, Rich Larsen 79-83—162, John Ferris 85-80—165, Jim Hatton 81-89—170, Rod Reid 86-86—172, Frank Eckerd 93-86—179. WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP Kiana Oshiro 67-65—132, Quincy Beyrouty 67-70—137, Payton Canon 70-73—143, Johnna Nealy 75-69—144, Baylee Hedgman 75-75—150, Maiya Baker 81-75—156, Brittany Barrington 77-83—160, Amanda Nealy 83-86—169, Lindsey Crosier 88-89—177, Melinda Heiner 90-95—185. Have a story idea? Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected] or via Twitter @Kris_Henry Kiana Oshiro