Wilsonville’s Layla Sidhu (shown earlier this season) and the Wildcats won the NWOC/IMC District 1 Girls Regional Tournament at Indian Creek Golf Course in Hood River on Monday, May 12. (Miles Vance)

It may not have come as a surprise, but it’s still a good thing.

“It,” in this case, was the Wilsonville girls golf team’s performance in the NWOC/IMC District 1 Girls Regional Tournament at Indian Creek Golf Course in Hood River on Monday, May 12.

And that performance was very, very good.

The Wildcats, the reigning Class 5A state champions, proved as much at regionals, rolling to victory and securing a berth to the upcoming 5A state tournament.

“It feels really good, finishing first after all the hard work I put in,” said Wilsonville junior Layla Sidhu, the regional medalist. “I think that the team played really good overall.”

“As a team, I think we did great,” said Wildcat junior Evie Dunn, who took second in the field at regionals. “We played consistent and focused on what we had to do to get to state.”

Next up, Sidhu and Dunn – along with senior Madeline Downie, sophomore Sophia Raschko and senior Malia Kaleikilo – will compete in the Class 5A state tournament, set for 12:15 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 19-20, at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell. If the Wildcats can defend their 2024 state title, it would mark their fourth title since 2017.

“We have prepared very well for state, but it will be a little tougher than league, so we will just have to work extra hard to win state,” Sidhu said.

Boys tournament

Wilsonville’s boys were excellent at regionals, too, breaking through to beat second-place Canby by four strokes at Indian Creek on May 12.

The Wildcats were led by junior medalist Luke Sidhu, who finished first in the field of 38 players after shooting an even-par 72 at Indian Creek.

He had plenty of help at regionals, with senior Michael Flaherty fourth at 78, followed by junior Simon Bonfiglio (14th at 85), junior Brett Lyons (20th at 88) and junior Charlie Nelson (32nd at 95).

“I think we all brought it together during regionals to win and get to state as a team,” Flaherty said. “If we can bring it together like we did at regionals and maybe knock off a few strokes here and there, we have a good chance to win state.”

Next up, the Wildcats will compete in the Class 5A state tournament, set for 12:15 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 19-20, at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn.

*This story has been updated with quotes from Michael Flaherty