Port Townsend golfers Mackenzie Lake and Jacob Madison are heading to the Olympic 1A Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Championships for the second year in a row May 22-23, but they are not alone.

Chimacum High School junior Logan Storm, 17, has played golf for the past four years, three of which he spent competing for his school.

Storm made districts last year, but he fell short of qualifying for state because of what he described as “a very tough nine.”

Nonetheless, Storm is heading to state this year, even if it was with “a quite substantially higher number than I would have liked.” 

“I’ve had struggles staying consistent,” Storm said. “I would say that is my biggest challenge with golf.”

He is the first to admit he cannot complain too much, though, since he still made the cut.

This marks Storm’s second year as the No. 1 golfer for Chimacum, and he credited coach Kevin Miller with helping him hit the ball straighter and gain the ability to shape his shots at times.

“My game has started to come around this year,” said Storm, who praised Miller as “a good coach and an even better man,” even if Miller “still can’t hit the ball farther than me, even though I know he wishes he could.”

Regardless of what happens at state, Storm plans to return to golf next year.

“I love to compete,” Storm said. “I know I have a well-rounded game. Hopefully, I can put some good rounds together next week, place high and have a good time at state.”

Miller wished to note “how good of a young man (Storm) is, and how bright his future is in golf,” praising the student for his “extremely good work ethic.”

“I’m excited to see where it takes him,” Miller said.

PT RETURNEES

When asked for her reaction to making the cut at districts May 15, Lake recalled her excitement, both for herself and Madison, as she waited on the 1A boys to finish to determine whether he would make it as well.

“We all knew he would,” Lake said, adding, “I always wear a ring under my glove because I feel like it gives me good luck. Whenever I get angry, I usually squeeze my thumbs and feel the ring and try to calm myself down.”

Madison was fourth to tee off, out of 24 golfers at districts.

“Once I finished and turned in my scorecard to the official, waiting for the other golfers to finish and all scores to be posted was nerve-wracking, to say the least,” Madison said. “But once the results were in, and I saw my name in the top 14, the pressure was lifted.”

Last year, Madison had no expectations about whether he would make the cut, but this year was different.

“I was full of nerves, knowing what it takes and that I had to put up a better score than last year,” Madison said.

While Madison did not play what he considered his best, he “got the job done” with a 94, placing seventh overall.

“I’m excited to play my second year at state, this year at Liberty Lake in Spokane,” Madison said. “This is a course I’ve never played, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Madison’s goal is to make the cut for the second day, even though he knows it will be tough.

“I’ll have to play smart and focus,” Madison said. “I do feel less pressure, as I’ve made it to state, but I still plan to do my best.”

Madison does not have any rituals beyond his stretching exercises and practice shots to get a feel for the course.

“Every course is different,” Madison said. “So, I just take a deep breath before I tee off to start the round.”

Madison lauded his fellow PT golfer Lake and thanked his family, coach Gabriel Tonan and the Port Townsend community for their support.