After playing on a long, wide course the day before, the Falcon boys golf team was grateful to see something that looked a little more like home Thursday.

On the road this week for two meets, the varsity boys shot their best golf of the week at Mount Baker’s Kayak Point Golf Course when they took advantage of narrow, short holes reminiscent of those at South Whidbey’s Useless Bay and Holmes Harbor Golf Courses. Against the Mountaineers and Lakewood, the five South Whidbey boys put together the best total of the day, taking 220 strokes to finish versus Lakewood’s 236 and the hosts’ 235.

The meet also brought a new leader to the fore for the Falcons. With the best form in this, the second week of competition, junior Jeff Strong not only led his team with a nine-hole round of 36, he made medalist. The only other Falcons able to stay even close were state tournament veteran Reed Dettrich and rookie sophomore Charlie Patnoe. Both finished the day with 45s.

Falcon coach Mick Heggenes said he was surprised to see Strong start the season so, well, strong.

“I was really pleased with Jeff,” he said after the meet.

Also contributing to the win was senior Bryan Hansen, with 48 points, and Charlie Erickson with 46.

The victory at the North Cascades Conference season opener came 24 hours after the Falcons got a little lost in the wide-open spaces of Snohomish’s well-treed public golf course. Though Strong and Hansen shot 41s and Dettrich a 42, South Whidbey could not keep pace with host Snohomish — which won the meet with a total score of 190 — or Lake Stevens at 211 strokes. The Falcons finished the day with a team total of 219.

Also scoring for the team were Erickson at 44 strokes, Patnoe at 47, and Kenny Johnson with 50.

The boys compete next on Monday in a non-conference dual meet against Oak Harbor at Holmes Harbor Golf Course.