It was an early morning, but the Wood River boys' golf team was the one to deliver the wake-up call to the rest of the field at the Gate City Invitational at Riverside Country Club in Pocatello Tuesday.
Despite a 5 a.m. departure from Hailey, the Wolverines broke from the bus ready to go. Shrugging off intermittent snow and rain, the Hailey quartet fired a four-man 319 to top 11 other teams at the meet.
"I was happy with a 319 given the conditions," coach Bill Petzke said. "There was quite a bit of rain."
Calling his game "very consistent despite the weather," Petzke acknowledged Crockett Stearns, who finished second in the individual standings with a 3-over 75.
"If the weather was great, he would have been that much better. Crockett's game has really improved a lot," Petzke said.
With a round of 73, Pocatello's Ryan Pearson was the boys' medalist. Third place went to Minico's Kody Miller with a 77. Jonathon Hobbs fired a 79, Chance McCroskey 80 and Danny Sundali 85 for the Wolverines. Ian Murphy finished with a 91.
It was the third win of the season for the Wolverines, who beat runner-up Salmon by 11 strokes. Minico was third (333), Rigby fourth (336) and Pocatello fifth (341). Other scores include: Jerome (355), Burley (356), Century (357), Blackfoot (360), Hillcrest (362), Preston (362) and Bonneville (376).
Given the fact Wood River bested nine conference opponents, Petzke is understandably confident of his team's chances at the district meet on May 4.
"We are the team to beat at the district level right now," Petzke said. "The boys accept that challenge and are ready for it. We are ready to play with the best. Once the weather changes, it will give us a big jump."
The Wolverines will head east twice next week. On Monday, April 21, they will compete in the Great Basin regional meet at Juniper Hills in Pocatello, coincidentally the same course where district matches will be held. On Thursday, April 23, the Wolverines, girls and boys, tee off at the Falls Classic at Sand Creek Golf Course in Idaho Falls, hosted by Bonneville High School.
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Wood River girls
The Wood River girls' golf team, coached by Chet Olson, claimed fourth place overall at Pocatello, with two girls firing sub-100 rounds.
Senior Amie Evans and freshman Jennie Williams signed off on scores of 99. Karlie Jeneson (109), Bailey Ireland (118) and Kelly Chapman (122) also competed.
In a field of seven teams, Hailey hit for 425 to finish behind Hillcrest (365), Burley (408) and Salmon (414).
The Community School
For the first time this season, The Community School boys took a full squad to a golf meet. The foursome of Paul Davis, Tony Martin, Cassidy Carson and Dane Inman combined for a 391 to finish fourth out of seven at the Declo Invitational at Rupert Country Club on Tuesday.
Davis, a junior, fired an 83 to place fourth in the individual standings. Medalist honors went to Will Nunnelee of Declo at 77. The top team was Kimberly at 334.
Bigwood opens today
In other golfing news, Bigwood Golf Course at Thunder Spring announced it would open today, April 17. Early-season rates will apply
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