Falcon golfer Jenna Kaik shot her career best score for a sixth-place finish at the District 1 Junior Golf Association tournament this week.
Kaik, who will be a senior next school year, scored a 92 during her first round July 16 at the Gallery Golf Course in Oak Harbor. It was her best round of her career and beat her previous career best by three strokes. Kaik, who consistently shot around 95 strokes during the high school season from March to May, remained steady during the second round July 17 with a 95.
Some of the best girls golfers in the state competed in the same division as Kaik, including the district champion Jennifer Paul of Bellingham. Paul shot a two-round score of 159, including a 77 on the second round, and qualified for the Washington Junior Golf Association state tournament held in the Kent/Renton area at the Meridian Valley Country Club, Fairwood Golf & Country Club and the Riverbend Golf Complex. Fellow Bellingham High School teammate Audrey Orem followed Paul in second place with 169 strokes (85 and 84).
Getting to the district tournament was an uncertain prospect at the start of the summer circuit. Kaik shot her season’s worst score of 117 strokes in June at the opening tournament at the Homestead Golf Course in Lynden. She recovered, just like she had during the high school season for the Falcons when she would make consecutive pars or bogies on a few holes. At the Discovery Bay tournament in Port Townsend, Kaik won the girls title with 95 strokes and qualified for the District 1 tournament. She beat her age-division competitors by 14 strokes.
Ever the consistent golfer, Kaik repeated that performance at the Everett Golf & Country Club and tied for fifth place. She was in a more competitive field, as the medalist from Lynnwood, Kimberly Santiago, shot an 80 and tied with Paul. Orem finished in third place with 86 strokes.
Kaik was the Falcons’ top golfer during the high school season. She qualified for the state 2A girls golf tournament at the Lake Spanaway Golf Course and made the cut for the second round. She’s poised to be one of the top golfers in 1A next year.
