Sam Warkentin is a sub-par kind of guy, and he’s proud of it.
The Bainbridge High School junior member of the boys varsity golf team recently finished 4 below par to be exact, and won the Washington Junior Golf Association State Championship on Friday, Aug. 8 at Manito Golf and Country Club in Spokane.
He was also named WJGA “Player of the Year” for his overall performance this season.
Warkentin shot 69-70-71 (-4) at Manito and Hangman Valley Golf Course to win the overall title by just one stroke.
He was tied entering the final round, but fell three strokes behind early. He eventually regained the lead on the back nine, and was able to stay ahead until the end.
“It’s quite an honor to win this competition, and it’s going to be great to have my name on the perpetual trophy along with the names of famous Washington golfers Fred Couples and Ryan Moore,” Warkentin said.
Warkentin had previously won the WJGA State Championship in the 12-13 boys division in 2011.
The championship title was the perfect ending to an impressive summer season for Warkentin. He recently tied for seventh place in the Junior America’s Cup, competing as one of four members of the Washington boys team, and earning special recognition as the team’s MVP.
The Spartan golfer also racked up a fourth-, 10th- and 13th-place finishes in several national-level events organized by the America’s Junior Golf Association.
He just barely missed qualifying to play in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, and finished as first alternate in the sectional qualifier held at Gold Mountain’s Olympic Golf Course.
Warkentin said that he has enjoyed competing this summer, but is more excited about the upcoming BHS season.
“Competing around the country throughout the summer is a lot of fun,” Warkentin said. “But I’m really looking forward to high school golf and playing for our new coach, Joe Lanza.”
“Mr. Lanza is a BHS graduate, and one of the best golfers ever to have come from here,” he added.
“I am so excited he is back on Bainbridge and coaching the BHS boys varsity team. There is so much we can all learn from him, and it will be fun to see how far the team can go this year,” Warkentin said.
