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NWAC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS: Swan leads NIC men to title

| May 24, 2022 1:15 AM

YAKIMA, Wash. — North Idaho College freshman James Swan knocked in a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the individual championship, leading the Cardinal men to their fourth straight team title Monday at the Northwest Athletic Conference golf championships at Apple Tree Golf Course.

Swan, who has signed with Idaho, shot 73-74—147, 3 over par, good for a one-shot victory over Dalton Dean of Bellevue, who was in his group, but drove into the water on the final hole and scrambled for par.

“It was cool, and I was super happy for him,” NIC men’s and women’s coach Russell Grove said. “He’s made a tremendous leap since he’s been here.”

NIC, which had battled Bellevue all season for team honors, shot 602 for the two-day tournament, 14 strokes better than Bellevue. James Baldauf tied for fifth for the Cardinals, and Tyler Vassar tied for 10th.

“I think we just put in the work,” Grove said. “We prepped for it, we knew the course in and out; we basically had three weeks (after the last NWAC tournament) to prep for this course. We knew the shots, we visualized the course. To be candid, none of them really played well, individually, we just kind of hung in there. It got firm and fast, especially the second day.”

NIC’s men also won the NWAC championship in 2017, ’18 and ’19. There was no spring season in 2020, and no conference championship in ’21, because of COVID-19.

“It's different, only coaching them for a year or two, they’re in and out quick,” Grove said. “We’ve had a solid program, and they've worked hard while they're here, and that’s led to their success.”

Bella Gopwani, a freshman from Durango High in Las Vegas, tied for second in the women’s tournament, leading NIC to a third-place finish.

Bellevue’s women won it with a 478. Community Colleges of Spokane was second at 490; NIC shot 495.

Gopwani shot 79-81—160, 10 shots back of the winner, Sarah Lawrence of Bellevue, who shot 76-74—150.

Gopwani didn’t play most of the spring because of an injury to her left knee. She played in NIC’s last tournament three weeks ago “to make sure her knee could hold up for two days,” Grove said.

Grove said if healthy, Gopwani likely would have been NIC’s No. 1 player this spring.

“She’s definitely got a lot of ability for sure,” Grove said.

MEN

TEAM SCORES — 1, North Idaho 297-305—602. 2, Bellevue 306-310—616. 3, CC Spokane 314-303—617. 4, Skagit Valley 307-318—625. 5, Grays Harbor 336-326—662.

MEDALIST — James Swan, North Idaho, 73-74—147.

NORTH IDAHO — 1, James Swan 73-74—147. T5, James Baldauf 73-78—151. T10, Tyler Vassar 76-77—153. T12, Aidan Goldstein 75-80—155. T16, Jamen Parsons 79-80—159. T19, Xavier De La Rosa 84-76—160.

WOMEN

TEAM SCORES — 1, Bellevue 240-238—478. 2, CC Spokane 244-246—490. 3, North Idaho 247-248—495. 4, Southwestern Oregon 261-268—529. 5, Columbia Basin 271-263—534.

MEDALIST — Sarah Lawrence, Bellevue, 76-74—150.

NORTH IDAHO — T2, Bella Gopwani 79-81—160. T6, Caitlin O’Connor 81-87—168. T10, Navy Wood 93-80—173. T12, Megan Light 87-87—174. T16, Emily Elliott 88-90—178. 27, McKenly Day 98-94—192.

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Courtest photo North Idaho College golf coach Russell Grove, left, and Cardinal freshman James Swan, who won the men's individual title at the Northwest Athletic Conference championships Monday at the Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Wash.

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Courtesy photo The North Idaho College women's golf team finished third at the Northwest Athletic Conference championships Monday at the Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Wash. From left is NIC assistant coach Russ Grove, Bella Gopwani, Emily Elliott, Megan Light, Kaitlin O'Connor, McKenly Day, Navy Woods and head coach Russell Grove.