Sports - High Schools

POSTED: Friday, Jun. 26, 2009

PREP GOLF: Rawitzer makes it four in a row as best in Whatcom County

With the Class 2A state championship likely hanging in the balance, Matt Rawitzer stared down a sloping green at a 20-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole of the final round at state and did the unthinkable.

No, it wasn't that he went for the hole instead of opting for a safer shot and a two-putt for par. It wasn't even that he drained that long-distance putt, a shot that would eventually lead to his second consecutive state title.

It was the Squalicum senior's reaction when that shot dropped in - a subtle pump of the fist - that left his coach captivated.

Rawitzer, the competitor, was falling victim to the emotions of the moment for perhaps the first time in his high school career.

"Matt always keeps his composure out there," Squalicum coach Jeff Tetrick said. "I can't really remember ever seeing him get too excited. After he hit that long birdie putt at state, he just gave a little fist pump. I think that's about as emotional as I have ever seen him get."

If any high school golfer in Whatcom County has earned the right to pump his fist from time to time, it is Rawitzer. This season alone Rawitzer won a state title, the Northwest District title, the Birger Solberg Cup and too many top medalists honors to list.

For the fourth year in a row, Rawitzer has also been named The Bellingham Herald's All-Whatcom County Boys' Golfer of the Year. Lynden's Russ Dorr is the Coach of the Year after leading the Lions to state team title.

"In golf it's pretty easy to keep yourself motivated," Rawitzer said. "There's always room for improvement and that's all on you. Even when you're winning you can be better."

While Rawitzer is always striving to improve his game, on the first day of the state tournament this year he flirted with near perfection. He shot a 64 at The Apple Tree Golf Resort in Yakima and had one of the best rounds of his high school career.

"I actually started off pretty poorly," Rawitzer said, "but at Apple Tree there are a lot of birdie opportunities out there. To play my last 12 holes at 9-under was a little surprising in a good way. At the same time, though, I knew those birdies were there."

With a Class 3A state crown on his resume from his junior season and now the Class 2A title, Rawitzer's next challenge will come at the University of Idaho. He's been wearing a Vandals cap on his head since signing a national letter of intent to play with the NCAA Division I program in November.

"I'm ready to move on to college now," Rawitzer said. "I'm ready for something new, both in golf, in life and in school. It's going to be a big change, which is going to be awesome."

Tetrick is sure that Rawitzer won't have any trouble adjusting to golf at the college level. He knows Rawitzer has a lot to work on, but he's confident he has the work ethic to do it.

"I'm sure he'll adjust just fine," Tetrick said. "There will be more competition because all the golfers at that level are very talented. But the thing about Matt is that he's never been one to play against people head to head, he's always just played the course and played against himself and that will serve him well."

Reach Joe Sunnen at joe.sunnen@bellinghamherald.com or 756-2862.