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Salomon helps Warriors clinch state berth

Steve Yingling, Tribune Sports Editor

Whittell High freshman Ryan Salomon shared the lowest round of the day as the Warrior golfers clinched a state tournament berth Thursday at the Golf Club at Genoa Lakes.

Salomon shot a 5-over-par 77 to tie Manogue’s Matt Conklin with the low round in the six-team Division II tournament.

“We’ve had a real successful year, starting from ground zero and not knowing what we had,” said co-coach Frank Bruno. “We really came on during the second half of the season. If it hadn’t been for the less than favorable weather conditions, we would have challenged Manogue earlier.”



Manogue wrapped up the division title and a state tournament spot by winning the Genoa event with 408 strokes. Whittell was second with 422, then came Dayton 437, Incline 454, Yerington 467 and Hawthorne 493.

Final team standings were: Manogue 37, Whittell 33, Incline 25, Dayton 15, Yerington 7 and Hawthorne 3.



Whittell’s other scores on Thursday were: Keith Truswell 83, Dustin Fox 84, Todd Echan 89, Lars Hansen 89 and Jayde Haynes 94.

Fox led the Warriors with a season average of 80.4 for his five-best events. The rest of the varsity also broke 90 for the season with Salomon at 82.2, Truswell 82.6, Hansen 86.0, Echan 86.8 and Haynes 88.0.

“That’s pretty good shooting with no seniors,” Bruno said. “We’re looking forward to state and next year.”

Whittell and Manogue will compete in the 36-hole 3A state tournament Wednesday and Thursday at Dayton Valley Country Club in Dayton. Tee times start at 11 a.m. each day.

“We’ve had a real successful year, starting from ground zero, not knowing what we had, and came on in the second half of the season. If there hadn’t been less than favorable weather, we would have challenged Manogue earlier,” Bruno said.

Dustin third low average in league 80.4 (best five scores), Salomon 82.2, Truswell 82.6, Hansen 86.0, Echan 86.8, Haynes 88.0.

Pat Curtis of South Tahoe High would have felt more comfortable hang gliding or windsurfing in the winds he encountered at the Northern Nevada 4A Zone golf championships Thursday at Dayton Valley Country Club in Dayton.

Winds whipped up to 40 mph throughout the 18-hole state-qualifying match, forcing players to make drastic adjustments.

“It was really difficult because you couldn’t tell how far the ball would go and what club to hit into the wind,” said Curtis, the only Viking entered, after concluding an 18-over-par round of 90.

“If you were hitting with the wind it carried a extra 50 yards. If you hit against the wind, you’d have to hit three clubs lower than you normally do at the distance. And if there was a crosswind, you’d have to aim left or right, so you could land it in the middle of fairway.”

The Viking sophomore was going along fine – 2-over par after seven holes – until the eighth hole dashed his state tournament hopes. Curtis put two balls in the water on the 481-yard par-5 hole, spoiling the rhythm of his round. After hitting his tee shot into the water with a driver, Curtis took a drop and launched a 5-iron shot back into the drink.

“I probably should have hit with a longer club, trying to get over the water,” said Curtis, who used a 3-iron to clear the water on his fifth stroke and finished the round-turning hole with an 8.

Curtis struggled for the remaining 10 holes, unable to find his early touch.

“I felt like still had a chance, but I don’t know what happened after that. I just kind of lost it,” Curtis said.

Curtis was hoping to become the first Viking boys golfer to qualify for state.

“I’m pretty happy. I’m just glad I made it to zone, and next year I’m hoping to make it to state,” he said.

“It was one of those days you couldn’t afford to miss a shot, even by a couple of inches, because the wind would take it right into the water. Some of kids had some good scores, but overall the scores were a little higher than we’ve seen throughout the season,” said Viking coach Mike Patterson.

Note: The highlight of Curtis’ round was seeing Chad Holvert of Lowry ace the sixth hole in the group in front of him.

“It was really diff you coulnt tell how far the ball woudl go and what club to hit into the wind.

Hole 8, hit into water on drive, wind carried, dropped front of water, tried to hit over water and it just wouldnt’ carry.

“I would have prob hit longer club trying to get over the water.

I used 5 iron, then hit 3 wood and got it over. dropped tit then hit 5 iron.

Hangliding windsurfing.

Mike Patteson

2-over over 7, nine on No. 8, speleed end fo rhim.

ended up with 90

2 in water.

probably 40 mph all day.

“ONe of those days couldnt’ afford to miiss a shot enven by couple of inches because wind take right into water.. some kids had some good socres, but overlll scores were little higher than seen throughout the season.”

“he had real solid season for us. One or 2 guy all year, he played well. especial toward end of year for us. ONe of those days couldnt’ afford to miiss a shot enven by couple of inches because wind take right into water. He’s had a good seaosn and he should be proud of hsi accompolisyhments.

Pat Curtis

“It was really diff you coulnt tell how far the ball woudl go and what club to hit into the wind.

Hole 8, hit into water on drive, wind carried, dropped front of water, tried to hit over water and it just wouldnt’ carry.

“I would have prob hit longer club trying to get over the water.

I used 5 iron, then hit 3 wood and got it over. dropped tit then hit 5 iron.

par-5, 491.

“I felt like stil had a chance, but I dont’ know what happend after that. I just kind of lost it.”

no birdies.

nine pars.

“kid from lowry hit 5 iron on par 3 put in the hole with gusty wind, group ahead of me.

Chad Holvert, NO. 6.

if hitting wind carried extra 50 yards, if hit against wind you’d have to hit three clubs lower than do at the distance. If cross wind you’d hae to aim left so it land it middle of fairway.

“I’m prety happy. I’m gjust glad makde it to zone and next year I’m hoping toake it to stte.


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