Wildcats’ Armstrong prevails in back nine drama for tourney win

Published 9:20 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOHOMISH – Everyone wants to play with Mount Si’s Sean Armstrong. Then he wins.

Recently, Newport senior Royce Koh twisted his coach’s arm to allow him to play No. 1 and in the same group as Armstrong at the 3A KingCo Medalist Tournament. Koh turned in the best round of his high-school golf career, firing 69 at Snohomish, feeding off the steady Armstrong.

Armstrong played a stroke better. He eagled the 510-yard No. 10, birdied 13 and 15, and finished with a 4-under-par 32 on the back nine and a total of 68.

Koh had shot 33 on the front nine. “I was kickin’ his butt,” Koh said. Momentum shifted with Armstrong’s eagle, even though Koh birdied the hole. They both made birdies on 15 during the friendly competition and they came off the course smiling.

Armstrong has been quietly outstanding during the last four years. He was the 3A Kingco scoring leader as a sophomore and finished second in the Medalist Tournament. He helped Mount Si win the league team title as a junior. Coach Garrick Phillips was thrilled to see him finish on top as a senior.

“I’m really happy for him. He’s been one of the best golfers in the league for three years. That’s phenomenal to shoot 32 on the back nine,” Phillips said. “He’s a great kid. He’s very helpful with the younger kids. He helps out everyone who plays with him.”

Armstrong said he and Koh have played together more than 20 times in high-school matches and offseason rounds.

“I think it helped both of them, just because they enjoy playing together,” said Neport coach Steve Anderson.

The Knights finished with a team score of 370. Anderson said it’s the best score he can remember in the tournament’s history.

Local individual scores at the 6,315-yard par 72 Snohomish Golf Course (players who advanced to district tournament): Sean Armstrong (Mount Si) 68, Brandon Proudfoot (Mount Si) 75 and Derek Lee (Mount Si) 77, Eric Larson (Mount Si) 78 and Andy Divers 81 (Mount Si). All will be heading to the district playoff’s.

Team scores: Newport 370, Mount Si 379, Issaquah 393, Bellevue 401, Mercer Island 401, Skyline 401, Liberty 413, Interlake 416, Sammamish 421, Cedarcrest 451.