Stuart Johnson, Desert Morning News
Grand Turns Consistency into 2A State Crown
by Brian E. Peece, Deseret Morning News
PROVO — In a sport where spectacular highs and crushing lows are commonplace, oftentimes those that can remain calm and consistent will prevail.
That is exactly what the Grand golf team did over two days. It was the most consistent team from top to bottom and the Red Devils held off surging Rowland Hall to win the 2A state crown. Grand fired a 341 as a team Thursday at The Reserve at East Bay to go with Wednesday's 339 for a two-day total of 680 to beat the Winged Lions by two strokes.
Ben Copeland was the only Grand golfer that shot well enough to crack the top 10 as he posted a 76 to go along with an opening-round 82 for a 158 total. But Copeland got enough support from teammates Bryce Till (87-84—191), Kyle Esquibel (80-93—143) and Chase Pruitt (90-88—178) to take home the state title.
Rowland Hall made the biggest move on the second day as the Winged Lions moved from a tie for fourth place to second place by shooting the best overall team score Thursday with a 333. The Winged Lions were paced by Quentin Morse's 78 and Nic Jobs' 85.
Waterford's Blake Peterson walked away with the medalist honors, firing an even-par 72 to go along with his first-round 74 for a 146 total.
Peterson trailed Beaver's Johnny Lindsay by one stroke as play started Thursday, but that lead was short-lived as Peterson eagled the first hole. Peterson and Lindsay battled back and forth on the front nine but Peterson took the lead once and for all with a birdie on the tough par-4 10th hole. He sealed the deal with a birdie on the par-5 16th when Lindsay settled for par and then on the short par-3 17th Peterson was able to make par while Lindsay missed a short 2-foot putt for his par.
Peterson, who is just a sophomore, said "it feels good" to be a state champion. "The turning point of the round was the 10th hole, where I drained a birdie putt and took the lead."
Grand coach Steve Hazlett was also happy on how his day went.
"It was tight, it came down to four different teams this year," he said. "It was kind of fun to have the competition be so tight and see the scores go up on the board."
Grand and Rowland Hall went home with trophies while the defending champion Beaver (685) settled for third place just three shots behind the Winged Lions. Led by Peterson, Waterford (688) placed fourth, followed in order by Millard (697), Richfield (705), Manti (707) and Juab (727).
Peterson won medalist honors followed by Beaver's Lindsay and Grand's Copeland. South Sevier's Trevor Gregerson (79-80—159) came in fourth, followed by Millard's Nolan Britt (81-79—160), Manti's Jordan Van Orman (81-80—161), Juab's Kyle Higginson (83-79—162), and Richfield's Brett Smith (80-84—164). Rowland Hall's Morse (88-78—166) finished ninth while teammate Jobs (85-85-170) tied with Richfield's Tyson Bliss (85-85—170) for 10th place.
Complete team and individual scores can be found at www.uhsaa.org.