The Devils shot an overall team score of 320, one stroke lower than they finished in their last competition. Senior Dale Thomas was once again the team’s top player, shooting a 74 on the course, followed by Tyson Saggboy with a 79, Hunter Butterfield with an 81, Jace Woodard with 83, and Kris Kemp, Braden Ward, and Anthony Shepardson, who all shot 86.
“We did pretty good,” said head coach Steve Hazlett. “I think we gave a better showing compared to what we had been doing previously this season... Our first match of the season was good, this one was good, but the ones in the middle were pretty mediocre and I’m glad we’ve kind of come out of that.”
Hazlett said there have been some upsets among individual team members, with underclassmen shooting well enough to displace some of the more senior players.
“Braden Ward, a freshman, shot an 86, and actually at practice today he beat out several sophomores and seniors to play at region and state,” Hazlett said. “And Jace [Woodard] and Tyson [Sagg-boy] are underclassmen too.”
Despite the fact that many of the Red Devil players are young this year, Hazlett said he does not believe winning region will be a problem.
“At this point, we’re 60 strokes ahead of everyone else in region.” he said. “So unless we don’t show up, unless we break down on the road and don’t show up, we’ll win region.”
Grand was scheduled to compete in the region tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 26 on the Richfield Golf Course. Hazlett said the Red Devils are expected to compete well at the state Utah High School Athletic Association competition Oct. 1-2 in Salt Lake City.
“Because of our region lead, right now we’re looking forward and facing state,” said Hazlett. “We’ve got some tough teams there. Beaver has always been strong, and a couple of other schools like North and South Summit are always tough teams. I think to place in the top four or five at state is pretty good. We took second last year, and I think if we get all four of our guys to be doing well on the same day, we should be competitive with Beaver. But the competition will still be tough.”