Medford-coached teen shoots round of 58 at Running Y

Jul. 30—KLAMATH FALLS — At the tender age of 13, Davis Hartwell put forward a round Thursday afternoon that most golfers only dream about.

Hartwell, a Klamath Falls native who is coached locally here in the Rogue Valley by Noah Horstman at the Southern Oregon Golf Academy, shot a 14-under 58 in the second of the Klamath Basin Junior Championship at Running Y Ranch Golf Course.

Hartwell's personal-best score, which was 11 shots better than his opening round Wednesday, allowed him to run away with the Boys 12-13 division title, finishing 16 shots better than the second-place finisher, Cade McVicker.

Hartwell, who will be an eighth-grader at Hosanna Christian School this fall, recorded 12 birdies in Thursday's round, had four pars and didn't hit a single bogey.

"I was shaking and in shock," Hartwell said what went through his head when he saw his final score. "I still am."

That shock was still there a few hours later.

Living in Klamath Falls, Hartwell is quite familiar with the course at Running Y, saying that he would try to play it every day if it's possible.

He's had scores fall in the mid-60s before, with his lowest-ever score being a 64.

On this day, though, with a few of his buddies by his side as his playing partners, Hartwell went out and showed just how comfortable he is at his home course.

"I was just kind of focused on the next hole, the next drive," he said. "I was working on my driver all day because it's a little inaccurate right now. I was feeling confident with the putter and I just kept making birdies."

Playing from the white tees at Running y, Hartwell, who finished second in the tournament last year and won it two years ago, opened with a par and then was able to birdie the next five holes.

He had a chance to record a couple of eagles with putts from within 10 feet, but had to settle for birdie.

Hartwell shot a score 29 on the front and back nine. He closed his round with three straight birdies.

As Thursday's round went on, Hartwell said he was aware of what he was doing in terms of his score, but it wasn't taking over his entire thought process.

"I was kind of paying attention (to the score)," Hartwell said, "but I was also having fun with my buddies."

The Oregon Golf Association-sanctioned tournament in Klamath Falls has been part of a busy week for Hartwell, who was took the Boys 12-13 division title in the Southern Oregon Junior Championship at Rogue Valley Country Club on Tuesday.

That momentum only continued 48 hours later.

And because of it, Hartwell was able to shoot the best round he's ever had at the course he knows best.

"Especially since it was at my home course," Hartwell said, "that's the biggest part of it for me."

Reach Danny Penza at 541-776-4469 or dpenza@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @penzatopaper.