PT golfers’ state standings improve from last year

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The third time was the charm for Port Townsend’s Mackenzie Lake, 17, and Jacob Madison, 16, who placed 10th and 24th respectively at the Olympic 1A Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Championships last month

One year ago at state championships, Lake made it to 19th place, while Madison only made it to 60th, so both PTHS students improved their performances dramatically.

Dana Madison, Jacob’s mom, credits both kids with developing more confidence.

“Jacob is only focused on golf now,” Dana said. “He practices all the time, and enters just about every local tournament.”

At the WIAA West Central District III Golf Championships May 15, Madison placed fifth, while Lake placed sixth.

“I’m so proud of them both for managing this feat three years in a row,” Dana said. “And next year, they’ll both be seniors, so who knows how much further they’ll be able to go.”

While Madison has been playing golf since he was 3 years old, when he got his first set of clubs, Lake took part in golf camps during summer vacations in grade school, but did not consider herself a “serious” golfer until her freshman year of high school.

“What got me started was golfing with my grandpa, Chuck Madison,” Madison said. “He got me loving the game.”

Lake likewise credited a family member with sparking her interest in the sport; in her case, her dad.

“He golfs and brings me out during the summer,” Lake said.

Just as Madison said he puts pressure on himself to do well, so too does Lake strive to maintain a consistent level of play, but fortunately for her, “The more I play, the better I get.”

Last year, Madison honed “my knowledge of the course and my clubs,” while Lake credited PT’s golf coach, Gabriel Tonan, with teaching her patience.

“I wanted to have better scores than other girls,” Lake said. “I would get so frustrated, I would lack focus.”

Madison likewise thanked Tonan for helping tweak his swing for further distance as well as accuracy.

“I really appreciate his time and effort to improve my game,” Madison said.

Lake agreed Tonan has been “one of my biggest supporters.”

Both Lake and Madison plan to continue playing golf through high school, college and beyond, and each cited the support of their families as a reason to keep going.

“Golf is a game you can play with others, or against yourself, until you can’t anymore, and I think that’s really neat,” Lake said.

Madison described golf as “a lifelong sport” for him, and named his mother as the strongest among his family of supporters.

“We love watching him play, and seeing the growth he’s had,” Dana said.

Tracy Lake, Mackenzie’s mom, likewise lauded her growth “as a student and a golfer.”