McClung returns from injury to debut on course

It took a lot of drive by Kelley McClung to come back from serious ankle injuries that sidelined her most of basketball season and well into the softball campaign.

And that drive is now being showcased on local golf courses.

That plus a nice iron game and putting stroke, as well.

While awaiting clearance to play softball, McClung has tried her hand at golf — with better than anticipated results.

The La Conner High senior shot a 63 in her nine-hole debut during a recent league match with Grace Academy and Mount Vernon Christian, the top score posted among Lady Brave entrants.

McClung, who last fall was a State Volleyball Player of the Week and will attend Central Washington University on a net scholarship, had planned spending her spring playing shortstop for La Conner High.

But those plans were altered during a non-league basketball game at Coupeville last December, when McClung, the team’s point guard, re-aggravated an ankle injury and was forced to sit out the rest of the season. She returned to suit up and go through pre-game warmups at the State Tournament in Spokane but was unable to see action.

There is hope she’ll be able to play softball at some point this season.

In the meantime, however, there’s golf.

And first-year La Conner High coach Chris McKnight is glad to have McClung in the fold.

He has also welcomed another first-year golfer to the Lady Braves’ ranks — his sister, Katie, a former La Conner track standout.

Katie McKnight and Aubrey Swigart each shot in the low 70s during their rounds with Grace and Mount Vernon Christian.

The Lady Braves trio followed up with their best rounds of the year at Friday Harbor.

“We’re seeing lots of improvement,” said coach McKnight, “so that’s pretty exciting.”

Equally exciting, though minus any surprises, has been the play this spring of Brendan McLeod.

McLeod is no stranger to success on the links and has built on past performances by twice earning top medalist honors.

He shot a 35 in the match with Grace and Mount Vernon Christian, helping lead the Braves to a 26-stroke triumph. La Conner’s Wilson Crawford carded a season-best 38 in that match.

McLeod then fired a 37 at Friday Harbor, with Crawford just two shots back at 39. Dylan Watkins chipped in a 45, his best nine-hole round to date, as the Braves bested their hosts by 31 strokes in the dual-match format.

The Braves finished with a combined score of 175. Friday Harbor totaled 206 strokes.

“We played well out at Friday Harbor,” coach McKnight said afterward. “So we’re hoping we can keep the momentum going.”