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Roseburg, Grants Pass eye golf titles By GREG STILES The Southern Oregon Conference wanted to reward consistency when it altered the formula for determining golf team championships prior to last year. SOC coaches and athletic directors reasoned a team that consistently outplayed opponents through March and April shouldn't miss out on a trip to the state tournament because of a couple of lousy days in May. That's why the Roseburg boys and Grants Pass girls enter today's district tournaments virtually assured of advancing to state as No. 1 representatives before teeing it up in the two-day event. The boys will play at newly remodeled Roseburg Country Club and the girls will play at Eagle Point Golf Course. Both are par-72 layouts. "We wanted to reward teams based on overall play," says North Medford coach Brad Bills. "For years everything rode on a two-day district tournament." A couple shanked tee shots, an untimely splash down in a water hazard or a handful of botched gimme putts could ruin your whole season. Now, six 18-hole rounds determine which two teams advance. Because of a scheduling snafu, the boys teams each threw out one round, while the girls will count all six rounds. "We're pretty much the only ones in the state doing this," Bills says. "Everyone else decides it with a two-day tournament, except for (the Portland Interscholastic League) where they play 9-hole matches to determine the champion." However, a team that gets hot today and Tuesday will be rewarded as well. The team with the best two-day score, or the second-best two-day score if the Roseburg boys and Grants Pass girls' lead remains unchanged, will go to state as No. 2. Individuals finishing in the top five will also advance to the May 17-18 state tournaments. "At least everyone goes to district feeling they have a shot," Bills says. Roseburg's boys head into today with a 28-stroke advantage over Grants Pass, and play on their home course where they carded a conference-low four-man score of 307 on May 3. Roseburg enters with a 942 total. Grants Pass (970), North Medford (973) and Ashland (976) are bunched closely, but too far back to make a realistic challenge. "Roseburg is good enough that it will probably add to its lead," Bills says. "Obviously they feel more comfortable on their home course and always play better there." Since there are no stars of Ashland graduate Jason Allred's caliber, medalist honors are up for grabs. "I would say 3-over for 36 holes could win it," Roseburg coach Del Jordan says. "I figure if enough kids are fairly close, one of them will step up and answer the bell. But not quite like Allred last year (who fired back-to-back 64s at Rogue Valley Country Club). We don't have anybody who can ring the bell that loud." Jordan says Roseburg's foursome of sophomore Jeremy Thorburn, junior Jason Gaston, senior Pat Andersen or freshman Tyler Miller are all capable of landing medalist honors. Geoff Davis and Eric Hill of Grants Pass, Adam Hooper and Kyle Allred of Ashland, Kyle Freeman and Justin Wise of North Medford, Nate Webb of South Medford and Mark Paulsen of Klamath Union are also medalist contenders. Hooper, fourth in the district last year, shot a 1-over par 73 at Roseburg on May 3. Webb was the SOC runner-up a year ago along with Allred. Eagle Point's Ryan Frazier, who had two wins and a second in SOC events, is no longer on the team. In girls action, Grants Pass, led by sisters Johnna and Josie Nealy, had its worst round of the season last week at Reames Country Club in Klamath Falls. But the Cavers carry a 32-stroke advantage over Roseburg heading into district and no one else is remotely close. "I don't think they're as much of a lock as Roseburg's boys, but they're well ahead," says Bills. Grants Pass will be in search of its third straight SOC championship. Johnna Nealy has had the upper hand over North Medford's Tai Kinney this season, although Kinney had perhaps her best effort of the season at Eagle Point on April 26. Kinney won last year's district title hands down with a 36-hole total of 156, while Johnna Nealy was fourth with a 167. "They're clearly the two best players," says Bills of the sophomore rivals. Roseburg's Julie Baylis, No. 3 in last year's district tourney, figures to be in a similar position again. SOC district golf tournaments Boys Where : Roseburg Country Club, Par 72. When : Today and Tuesday, noon. Top returners : Nate Webb, South Medford; Kyle Allred, Ashland; Adam Hooper, Ashland; Pat Andersen, Roseburg. Format : 36-hole medal play. State tournament : May 17-18, Trysting Tree, Corvallis. Past Boys Champions 1998 -- Roseburg 1997 -- Ashland 1996 -- Roseburg 1995 -- Ashland 1994 -- Ashland 1993 -- Klamath Union 1992 -- North Medford 1991 -- Roseburg 1990 -- Roseburg 1989 -- North Medford Girls Where : Eagle Point Golf Course, Par 72. When : Today and Tuesday, noon. Top returners : Tai Kinney, North Medford; Johnna Nealy, Grants Pass, Julie Baylis, Roseburg; Josie Nealy, Grants Pass. Format : 36-hole medal play. State tournament : May 17-18, Langdon Farms, Aurora. Past Girls Champions 1998 -- Grants Pass 1997 -- Grants Pass 1996 -- North Medford 1995 -- North Medford 1994 -- North Medford 1993 -- Grants Pass 1992 -- Grants Pass 1991 -- Grants Pass 1990 -- Grants Pass 1989 -- Grants Pass Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.