South Whidbey High School’s Gabe Jacobson-Ross earned his third trip to the state 1A golf tournament with a strong showing at the bi-district championships Tuesday, May 14, at Seattle’s Jackson Park Golf Course.

Playing through wet, cool, breezy conditions, Jacobson-Ross shot an 81 on the par-70 course, easily earning a state berth.

The cut for state was 95 strokes.

“Gabe started slow with a 44 on the front nine holes but bounced back with an impressive 37 on the back, which included a birdie on the 10th hole,” coach Steve Jones said. “Gabe played with poise and confidence and looks forward to representing SWHS for the third time at the state golf championship.”

The 1A state tournament is Tuesday and Wednesday, May 21 and 22, at the Olympic Country and Golf Club.

Jacobson-Ross finished 31st in last year’s state meet.

Two other Falcons competed at the bi-district Tuesday. Lewis Mattson missed the cut for state by just two strokes, shooting a 97. Max Rodriguez finished at 117.

“Lewis, who is a starting lineman on the football team, played one of the best rounds of his life,” Jones said. “Although he fell a few strokes short of his goal, he followed our pre-match game plan magnificently. Lewis’ improvement over the course of the season has been gratifying to witness.”

Rodriquez was one of only a handful of freshmen at bi-district.

“The lessons he learned in postseason play have been invaluable and will serve as a solid foundation for future years,” Jones said. “Max possesses all the necessary tools to be a major contributor to the varsity team next year.”

“”I am so proud of the way our boys conducted themselves on and off the golf course this season,” Jones added. “There is a huge commitment to the team and so many great life lessons were learned along the way.

“I am honored to be their coach and look forward to the future.”