The Federal Way school district is loaded with golfing talent, especially on the girls’ side of the tee box. Decatur, Thomas Jefferson, Federal Way and Beamer all feature star-studded lineups and numerous state tournament veterans.
The Gators might have the best chance of any of those teams to make some noise this season. In their second season in the South Puget Sound League 3A Division, Decatur returns one of the best players in the state in senior Amanda Beyke.
Beyke came up two strokes short of winning the Class 3A state title a season ago, finishing in third place. As a junior, Beyke fired the low round on the second day of the state tournament in Spokane with a 71. As a sophomore, she finished in sixth place.
Beyke showed how impressive her game is early in her senior season Tuesday afternoon when she fired an ultra-impressive 34 at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club. The 2-under par round helped the Gators roll over Enumclaw in a pivotal South Puget Sound League 3A Division match, 149-119.
But Beyke isn’t the only Gator who could grab another state tournament trophy. Her sister, freshman Celia Beyke, is also one of the best junior-level golfers in Washington. The younger sister shot a 6-over against Enumclaw.
“We could be good enough to make a run at the state title,” said Decatur head girls coach Rick Dennison.
The Jefferson Raiders also seem to have the players to make a run at the Class 4A girls state title.
The Raiders bring back Alexus Song, who finished an impressive seventh at the 4A state last year. Song, a junior, shot an opening-round 80 and sat in 16th place overall entering the second day of competition.
But Song came back in very impressive fashion, shooting the second-best round of the day with a 1-over par 73. The only player to go lower was eventual champion, Erynne Lee from Central Kitsap.
Song won the SPSL title last year and also won the 2010 Pacific Northwest Junior PGA Championship last summer, qualifying her for the Junior PGA Championship in Indiana.
Jefferson’s Sarah Yu also played at the state tournament a season ago and helped the Raiders to a ninth-place team finish. Yu fired two rounds in the 80s at state.
Jefferson also features Jiny Lee, Hannah Yi and Hannah Oh, who all have the ability to shoot near par. The Raiders showed their depth last week when they scored 118 points during a 79-point win over Federal Way.
Despite the loss to TJ, the Eagles also bring back a state veteran in Emily Victor.
The senior is returning for her fourth year on the Federal Way team and has played at the state tournament the last two years.
“She has been a consistent performer, improving each year,” McManemy said. “We expect great things from her this year.”
Federal Way also returns Julianne Ha, Kaitlynn Mann, Bailey Rohleder and Lexis Pawlowski.
“This is a pretty dedicated group with good team chemistry,” said Federal Way head coach Tim McManemy. “We will compete in every match and continue to improve.”
Beamer’s Amanda Imm is also a possible state tournament golfer. Imm has earned medalist honors in two of the Titans’ first three matches of the season, including a 44 Tuesday during a 63-61 win over Auburn Riverside.
