Panther boy golfers return to action

Panther boy golfers return to action

September 13, 2001

STAFF REPORT

After playing in a fun scramble tournament on Monday, Sept. 10, the Panther boys golf team will get back down to business today and Friday, Sept. 13-14, at Dos Rios in Gunnison and Montrose, respectively. Those are the final two regular-season tournaments of the 2001 season.

"Drive for show and putt for dough." That old golf adage certainly holds true for even prep golfers.

"We just didn’t putt very well," Randy (Jack) Jacobson, new head coach for the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys golf program, reported after the Panthers completed a swing to play at Battlement Mesa near Grand Junction and Devil’s Thumb Golf Course at Delta. "We are still having problems with our short game."

Jacobson had his golfers doing nothing but chipping and putting during a recent practice session earlier this week in preparation for a scramble tournament which was held Monday, Sept. 10, at Fairway Pines near Ridgway. The Panthers return to regular stroke play this Thursday and Friday, Sept. 13-14, in tournaments hosted by Gunnison and Montrose.

At the Delta Invitational, Cortez finished with a team score of 241. Durango won the event with 217, Fruita-Monument came second with 223, Rifle 228, Steamboat Springs 229, and Montrose 230.

"We did a little better than the day before," Jacobson commented.

Individually for the Panthers, Shea Sena shot 73, Keenan Lovett 82, Michael Stroud 87, Casey Stone 86, and Casey Richey 88.

Devil's Thumb Golf Course certainly challenged the Western Slope prep golf tour, and it took three playoff holes to determine a winner. Rifle High School's Luke Antonelli defeated Pat McLennan of Aspen on the third playoff hole after both shot 69s over 18 holes. Chase Wortmann of Fruita finished third with a 70 and teammate Tyler Nathe shot a 72.

"We didn’t do very well at the Palisade Invitational at Battlement Mesa," Jacobson reported. "Most of our guys have not played this course. We were missing putts and just struggling with our short game."

The Demons won the event by shooting a team total of 234. Steamboat Springs was right behind, just one stroke off the lead at 235. Fruita-Monument finished back yet at 236, followed by Steamboat 235, Cedaredge 238, and Grand Junction High 239. MCHS placed well back at 253 of the 21-team field.

Grand Junction’s Kyle Sullivan ended up winning the individual medal with a 73.

The Colorado High School Activities Association fall playoffs get under way this Monday, Sept. 17, with five regional tournaments at various sites around the state.

The Western Class 4A Golf Tournament will be held beginning at 9 a.m. at Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction. Colorado Springs 4A will be at Valley Hi Golf Course, Metro-East 4A at Murphy Creek Golf Course, Metro-West 4A at Broadlands Golf Course, Northern 4A at Fort Morgan Golf Course, and Southern 4A at Hollydot Golf Course in Colorado City.

The 4A State Golf Championship will be held Oct. 1-2 at Spring Valley Golf Course in Elizabeth.