The Highline men’s and women’s golf teams closed out the fall competition with improved results.

Both Highline golf squads added new recruits with no returning players for the 2022-23 season.

The women’s roster added two new players: freshmen Anjali Naidu from Kent, WA and Jadyn Shaw from Atlanta, GA.

The men’s roster added five freshmen: Trey Alwert, Noah DeWeese, Tyler Fullerton, Derek Kaapana, and Xander Morris.

Highline was an opportunity to get an affordable education and play collegiate golf, said freshman Xander Morris.

Highline competed in three NWAC tournaments for the fall: the Skagit Valley Cardinal Classic, the Highline Showdown, and the Columbia Basin Fall Invitational.

On Oct. 10 and 11, the men and women competed in the Columbia Basin Invitational for the final league tournament in 2022.

The women competed in the individual bracket. Freshman Anjali Naidu tied for 12th with a total score of 194 and 50 over par. Naidu shot a career-best 94 in the second round.

Freshman Jadyn Shaw placed 16th with a total of 240 and 96 over par. Shaw also recorded a career-best 114 in a round.

The Highline men competed in the team and individual brackets. Highline placed 6th as a team with a total score of 669 and 93 over par.

Individually, Highline’s Trey Alwert tied for 10th place with a total of 156 with 12 over par. Alwert sank three birdies in the first round. 

Xander Morris placed 24th with a total of 163 with 19 over par. Morris recorded a season-best of 74 in the first round.

Tyler Fullerton placed 27th, Derek Kaapana tied for 37th and Noah DeWeese withdrew. 

“My goal for the fall tournaments was to place in the top 10 or just as high as I possibly could. Shooting on average only a few over par,” said freshman Xander Morris.

For the Lady T-Birds, the fall tournaments gave them some experience on the college green, said Head Women’s Golf Coach Steve Turcotte.

“It was an opportunity to figure out what part of the game they need to work on,” said Turcotte.

Both players saw steady improvement from one tournament to the next. Anjali Naidu placed 19th in the first and second tournaments and ended on a high note with a 12 place in the recent competition. Similarly, Jadyn Shaw placed 24th in her first tournament as compared to a 16th place at the last tournament.

Now, Highline golf is in the offseason until spring season picks up in March 2023.

“They are focusing on school, but we keep practicing as the winter goes on. We are going to the golf range to work on chipping and putting,” said Turcotte.

Highline golf will return to competition in April in 2023 for the Columbia Basin Spring Invitational.