They just keep improving and improving their rounds, according to Montezuma-Cortez High School head boys golf coach Mike Allison.

"The scores are coming down. They are playing more consistently," he said after watching the Panthers compete in two tough tournaments this past Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 23-24, at Gunnison and Montrose, respectively.

Cortez varsity players, for the most part, all shot well at Gunnison’s Dos Rios Golf Course, site of this year’s Class 4A Regional Tournament.

Shea Sena shot 83, Chris Dibsie 84, Keenan Lovett 86, Tony McComb 87, and Casey Stone 90.

"We shot good scores. Those are some good scores for this golf course. The course is very tight on the front nine, especially for the first six holes. It is a little more forgiving on the back. I was pleased with how we shot, except for Stone. He is not playing within himself. If we are not playing that Regional course and not shooting 77 or better, we will not be a factor with the outcome not bright. We will try to play this course a few more times before Regionals," Allison remarked.

Durango, led by freshman sensation Jake Hermes who shot 5-under-par 66, blew away the field with a 208. Aspen/Basalt finished 22 strokes behind at 230. Montrose finished third at 232, followed by Rifle 234, Steamboat Springs 239, Battle Mountain 245, Cedaredge 246, Cortez 253, host Gunnison 256, Glenwood Springs 257, Palisade 258, Delta 271, Eagle Valley 277, Meeker 288, Telluride 291, and Ouray/Ridgway 361.

The Panthers then played at Montrose. Stone came back strong that day and shot an 81. Lovett fired an 80, Sena 84, McComb 85, and Dibsie 86.

The Demons again were too strong and won with a 218. Host Montrose came in second at 224, Grand Junction Central 225, Fruita-Monument 226, Montrose JVs 228, Cedaredge 231, Rifle 233, Aspen 234, Steamboat Springs 236, Battle Mountain 238, Moffat County 239, Delta 241, Gunnison 242, MCHS 245, Pagosa Springs 252, Eagle Valley/Meeker 268, Telluride 274, Palisade 302, and Ouray/Ridgway 321.

"There are some awesome golfers from the Western Slope," Allison reported. "There are some awesome shooters this year, and most of them are young. These are all new kids on the block.

Sena, only a freshman, has been the most consistent golfer for the Panthers so far this season. Several other Panthers are playing well, including junior Brandon Hughes, senior Brett Carter, senior Matt Lindsay, freshman Will Lindsay, freshman Casey Richey, junior Kyle Riddell (from Dove Creek), sophomore Alex Stewart, freshman Michael Stroud, and sophomore Alex Thorkelson.

A quick trip to Pagosa Springs is slated for Monday, Aug. 28 and the annual Cortez Invitational is set for Conquistador Golf Course on Tuesday, Aug. 29. In that tournament 12 teams have signed up, according to Allison.

They will compete in Durango tournaments on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Dalton Ranch Golf Club. The final tournament of the regular season is set at Rifle on Sept. 7.

According to Allison, Palisade will have a good team again this year. However, several schools, including Cortez, will provide a strong challenge as the 4A team race looks to be fairly open. West Slope schools will produce some strong individuals this year.