Boeing engineer wins County Amateur golf tournament

  • By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
  • Tuesday, May 26, 2015 8:40pm
  • SportsSports

EVERETT — Though this was his first Snohomish County Amateur appearance, Kevin Beavers of Seattle showed all the poise and polish of a tournament veteran during Monday afternoon’s final round.

Beavers, a Boeing engineer who is also an assistant golf coach at Kamiak High School, shrugged off two early bogeys and went on to shoot a 2-under-par 70 at Legion Memorial Golf Course, putting the finishing touches to a three-day tourney total of 5-under 211. It gave him a comfortable six-stroke victory in the 85th annual County Am.

“This is very cool to me,” said the 31-year-old Beavers, the only player to shoot under par all three rounds. “It really is a confidence booster.”

Beavers, who represents Mukilteo’s Harbour Pointe Golf Course, qualified for last year’s USGA U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship for players 25 and over. “I’d say this (victory) and that (tournament) are the two greatest accomplishments of my golfing career,” he said.

And although he looked cool under pressure, “it was a battle (with nerves) all day,” he admitted. “Trying to compete against good players and handle your emotions is not easy to do. … I’ve succumbed to (tournament) pressure in the past, and it’s been a long battle to get to this point.”

The win was significant for Beavers for other reasons, too. It was his first career victory in a three-round event, and it was also the first time he had won after taking a lead into the final round.

But more importantly, he wanted the victory to honor the memory of his parents, who both died of cancer in 2012.

“I really tried to play hard for them today,” he said. With a sizeable lead “it was so easy for me to get complacent on those last few holes. I really had to push hard, and that was a really big motivating factor for me to keep me going and to not give up the last few holes.”

His day was not without flaws. A couple of wayward shots on the second and third holes led to bogeys, opening the door for playing partners Joe Fryer and Tyler Hanson, who had both begun the day four shots behind. But Beavers promptly responded with a birdie on No. 4 and another on No. 6 to get his round back to even par, and a third birdie on the 10th hole dropped him under par to stay for the afternoon.

And if anyone thought he might falter down the stretch, Beavers snuffed that notion with another birdie on No. 15.

“Once I steadied myself (with a birdie) on 4, I really got a flow going,” said Beavers, who played collegiately at the University of Portland. “I got a rhythm to the round, which was nice.” And over the final few holes “it was more just about trying to get myself a putt at birdie, but then to secure the par and not make a big mistake.”

Second place went to Rudy Caparas, who closed with a 1-under 71 for a 1-over 217 total. Fryer shot 1-over 73 to place third at 2-over 218.

Alex Stamey, a five-time champion who needs one more title for the all-time lead in tournament victories, shot even-par 72 on Monday to place fourth at 3-over 219. His chance of winning was undone by a 5-over 77 in Sunday’s second round at Harbour Pointe.

“I played good this year,” Stamey said. “I just had one bad putting day (on Sunday), which was unfortunate. I hit the ball tee to green very well, so I’m happy with that. But I needed to make more birdies (to catch) Kevin. He’s very solid and he’s not going to make any mistakes.”

In the second division, for players with handicaps of 5.1 to 9.9, Daniel Kim of Harbour Pointe was the low-net winner with a three-round total of 9-under 207, one stroke better than Chae Cho, also of Harbour Pointe. The third division winner was Kyung wook Oh of Harbour Pointe with a 21-under 195.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.