Brady Powell of Corvallis Blue Devils claims Invitational title

Powell faced a 363-yard, par-4 challenge with a creek running just in front of the green. If he swung too hard, he’d land in the water. If he didn’t put enough mustard behind his shot, he’d land too short and force himself into a much more difficult approach shot.

Instead, the Corvallis junior, with a white hat, polo and shoes matching his bleach-blond hair, drilled his tee shot to within 15 yards of the creek. It was a perfect landing spot to set up an easy chip onto the green. Two calculated putts later, he scored a par.

The hole was one instance of a day’s worth of maturity beyond his years from Powell, who won the Corvallis Invitational boys medalist race. He finished the event 4-under, the lone competitor to score under par.