Totems dominate on the links

Sammamish Totems golf squad is gearing up for districts

A quartet of talented golfers have guided the Sammamish Totems boys golf team to a stellar regular season overall record of 8-3.

Sammamish head coach Annette LaBissoniere, who is in her second season as the Totems’ head coach after leading Yakima’s Eisenhower High School for 13 seasons, said senior Matt Brooks, junior Aidan Thain, sophomore Ryan Park and newcomer Spencer Furman are the Totems top four golfers on the links. The Totems are gearing up for the Class 2A district tournament on Oct. 24.

Each golfer brings a wide assortment of skills to the fairways and putting greens. Brooks hits the ball the furthest of any player on the team.

“Matt (Brooks) is about 6 feet, 4 inches tall and he hits the ball farther than about anyone in the league. His distance off the tee is enormous,” LaBissoniere said. “He has a good short game, too. He averages 37.3 per round (nine holes). You are not going to have that kind of average unless you have a good short game.”

LaBissoniere said Thain, who is left-handed, has improved immensely since his sophomore season in 2014. Thain’s average this fall is 37.5.

“He is very determined. He worked hard on his game in the off-season. He played in a lot of tournaments and his swing has improved quite a bit,” she said.

Sophomore Ryan Park doesn’t hit the ball the farthest, but is one of the most even-keeled golfers on the team.

“Ryan is Mr. Steady. He is not hitting it as long as the other kids off the tee but he is consistent. You always see him in the fairway and see him playing well on the greens. He was a medalist in most of our matches this year and has an average of 36.5,” LaBissoniere said.

Totems’ senior Spencer Furman had never golfed before turning out for the team in late August. LaBissoniere said Furman was prodded by one of his buddies to try golf for the first time. Furman, who is a nationally ranked tennis player, picked up the sport quickly.

“He never played until six weeks ago. He put a golf club in his hand and now his average is down to 44.8. In the last two matches he shot 41 both times,” LaBissoniere said.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com