Katya Case led Bellevue to their first ever NWAACC Championship.

Bellevue Women's Golf Win First NWAACC Championship
May 23, 2012

The Bellevue College women’s golf team won their first NWAACC Championship Monday, May 21, at the conclusion of the two-day Championship Tournament held at the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain and McCormick Woods in Bremerton. The Bulldogs finished their outstanding season in style winning their eighth straight tournament besting second place Spokane by 17 shots. Leading the team and winning medalist honors was standout sophomore Katya Case. Battling tough weather conditions, Case shot an 81 in the first round, and followed that up with a very solid 77 in the final, winning the tournament by 10 strokes. Solid play was turned in by all of the BC women with Jamie Kirsila finishing in sixth place with a two-day total 171, and Alayna Herring tied for eighth with 177. Herring's solid back-nine play, including a great up and down for par on the 18th was a key factor in securing the victory for the women. Freshman Corey Rois tied for 12th with 180, and teammate freshman Kayce Ogishima was 16th with 183. "I couldn't be happier for this team,” said head coach Kirk Johanson. “After finishing the regular season undefeated, it was great to finish off with a dominant performance in the championships. I'm very proud of what these women have accomplished this year. Their commitment and teamwork all year was outstanding, and it’s very special to be the first BC Women’s Golf Championship Team. I'm glad for Katya and Alayna to be able to finish their BC Golf careers as champions."

Katya Case was selected to the NWAACC All-Stars Women’s First Team, with Alayna Herring, Jamie Kirsila, Kayce Ogishima, and Corey Rois named to the Second Team. Sophomore Alayna Herring was also honored on the All-Academic Sports Team for Spring Quarter 2012. Coach Kirk Johanson has been named Women’s Golf Coach of the Year.

Colten Kleis was the top finisher for the Bulldogs men's team. photo by Rich Dworkis

BC Men's Golf Finishes Fourth at NWAACC Championship

The Bellevue College men’s golf team finished fourth to wrap up the season at the NWAACC Championships held at McCormick Woods GC and the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain in Bremerton, May 20-21. Heavy rain and wind met the golfers the first day making scoring very difficult, but Bulldog freshman Colten Kleis played well in the tough conditions, finishing the first round four strokes off the lead with a solid 76; three back at 79 was sophomore Zach Buchanan.  At the completion of the day the Bulldogs found themselves in third place as a team.

The final round was made difficult again with poor weather. Playing well despite the rain were sophomores Chad Smith and Charles Lee, both shooting 76, as was freshman Nathan Stephenson. Smith finished the tourney in the top ten, tied at 10th, Kleis and Buchanan tied 13th, Lee tied 15th, and Ryan Maul tied for 33rd. The team finished in fourth place. "I'm proud of the men as they continued to improve throughout the year. They never gave up and were great teammates and competitors.” Sophomore Zach Buchanan was named to the All-Academic Sports Team for Spring Quarter 2012.