USELESS BAY — The South Whidbey boys golf team trumped the Red Wolves from Cedarcrest 203 to 252 Tuesday to convincingly open Cascade Conference play on a high note.

Brooks Guetlin shot the day’s low score for the Falcons with 37, followed by Josh Yingling with 40, Tommy Boyle and Chandler Thompson with 41 and Lincoln Hawthorne at 44.

Red Wolves Jake Harding and Ryan McKinley shot 45 and 46 respectively.

“We played well as a team and although their ball striking was effective, our team putting was unsatisfactory, and optimal effort must be given in practice to this critical element of the game,” said Falcon coach Steve Jones.

“Overall, I would say that we need to continue working on physical skills such as ball striking and especially the short game,” Jones added. “Equally as important are the mental aspects such as course management, focus, self-discipline and mental toughness.”

Jones is a fervent believer that the game of golf is similar to life.

“Things can be going smoothly and before you know it, the momentum changes 180 degrees and you find yourself in a predicament. As in life, golfers need to learn how to manage their mistakes, learn from them and move on.

“There is an old saying: What’s the most important shot in golf? The next one.”

Cedarcrest coach Dan Tachell appreciated the overall play and sportsmanship of the Falcons.

“I’m very impressed by the play of the underclassmen, who will be the core of the golf team in the years to come,” Tachell said.

Perry Cooley, a member of last year’s championship team, got stuck in the rough on the fifth hole.

“I could have played much better, but there is always next time,” he said. “Brooks, on the other hand, played very well. The guys from Cedarcrest were very nice, but I just don’t think they can match up with us over the long haul.”

Guetlin added that the course at Useless Bay has become an old friend.

“Basically, it’s pretty straight forward in terms of long shots and putting,” he noted.

It didn’t help golfers of either team that the weather was cold, rainy and windy.

“Brooks was strong with the day’s best score of 37,” Jones said. “However, I must admit to being very pleased with Josh Yingling’s second-place finish with a career-best round of 40.”