Rain and wind couldn’t deter the Mercer Island boys golf team from its second-best finish at state in the program’s history as four Islander golfers combined to take third overall with 73 points.
“The kids played well, and it was quite an achievement to finish third,” said Mercer Island coach Tyson Peters. “It sure was nice and wet.”
That achievement came despite the team’s best golfer, Paul Mitzel, missing the cut during the first round. Mitzel completed the first 18 holes in 79 strokes, one away from qualifying for the second round.
“He just didn’t play well,” said Peters. “He had been battling back problems and a broken arm took away from his time to prepare for the meet. Sometimes golf just comes down to one shot.”
The Islanders as a team scored 71 to place third overall but actually tied for second place with Bainbridge Island for overall strokes.
Seniors Daniel Kern and Brian Tolkin finished off their high school careers in style, placing in the top 20 at state. Kern tied for 14th overall by shooting a 76 on the first day and a 73 on the second for an overall score of 149 strokes.
Tolkin finished just behind his teammate, tied for 16th place with an overall score of 150. Tolkin shot a 76 on the first day and a 74 to close out the season.
“They have been our rocks all season long, and they just continued to be consistent,” said Peters.
One of the reasons for placing in the top 10 was the play of freshman Kyle Code.
“I thought I would have to worry about Kyle, not Paul,” said Peters. “Talk about pressure. It was really impressive to see him play.”
Code finished in 18th place overall by shooting a 77 on the first day and 74 on the second for an overall score of 151.
Chinn places in the top 10
The only Mercer Island girls golfer to compete in Bellingham at the state meet was Lindsay Chinn. But the junior took it upon herself to make a statement by finishing tied for ninth overall, the best finish of any Mercer Island female golfer in the program’s history. Chinn finished the first day with an 87 but recovered to shoot an 81 during the second round and finished with an overall score of 168.
