MEEKER | The Cowboy golf season has wrapped up for 2020 at the close of the regional tournament. This year’s team was Peter Hanks, John Hampton Hightower, Ryan Phelan and Ryan Sullivan. The tournament itself is only one day long but the team gets an opportunity for a practice round the day before.
“We had two great days of golf,” commented head coach Willy Theos. “The practice round on Monday was fun to play as a team and the kids learned a lot about the course.”
This year’s regionals were held at the River Valley Ranch (RVR) in Carbondale. “It is a very nice golf course,” continued Theos, “but it can be tricky with some blind landing areas off the tee; the more you play it, the better prepared you will be.
Meeker plays golf in class 3A as 1A and 2A do not have teams. The bigger schools often have access to more courses to practice on including ones similar to RVR. In team placement Aspen won, Vail Mountain was second, Vail Christian third, and Basalt was fourth. Aspen and Vail Mountain will send their entire team to state.
The day was long and Cowboys had to wait through two lightning delays and slow play. “I was proud of our team for hanging in there and not giving up,” said Theos. “It was difficult to keep positive momentum and rhythm going during the seven-hour round.”
Hanks shot the best for the Cowboys with an 88; 86 was the cutoff to qualify for state. Hightower played well but had a couple of inconsistent stretches as he finished at 94. Phelan and Sullivan had some great holes but struggled overall shooting 105 and 110. As a team the Cowboys finished in 13th ahead of Salida, Delta, and Limon.
“It was great having Coach Hooks at the tournament to help coach the kids,” wrapped up Theos. Kyle Hooks is the Cowboy assistant golf coach for 2020.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK | Special to the Herald Times
