The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate golf team was able to return to action earlier than expected, taking part in the Panther Invitational 2 at Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez on Monday, Aug. 31.
The Pirates anticipated not seeing official competition again until Sept. 8.
Unfortunately for the golfers, it was a soggy day where it was difficult to even hold onto a club, according to coach Mark Faber.
He called the day a “really good learning experience.”
The Pirates took fifth out of five teams at the rainy event.
Tyler Dimond led the Pirates with a 79 on the par-72 course, which landed him tied for fourth out of 46 golfers.
Faber highlighted that Dimond started off “incredibly,” shooting three under through four holes after logging an eagle, a bogey and two birdies.
He ended the day shooting eagle on one hole, birdie on two and par on six holes.
Maximus Ibram shot an 85 on the day to finish in a three-way 14th, shooting birdie on one hole and par on six holes.
Faber noted Ibram played “probably the best round he’s played in the rain.”
Chatwin Pickering shot a 92 to take 27th, with his effort including shooting birdie on one hole and par on five holes.
Logan Lamoreaux followed in 28th with a 93, shooting birdie on one hole and par on three holes. He tied with one other for 28th.
Treyson Cotts shot a 104, which included shooting par on three holes.
“They stayed after it,” Faber said of the team in the rainy conditions. “They tried.”
He added it was frustrating to end up as low as they did as a team, but that they’ll talk about what they could have done to be more prepared.
He added that, golf-wise, they were prepared, but they weren’t prepared to not even be able to hold onto the clubs in the rain.
He added the best thing they can do is let it go, especially with the week ahead.
“It’s going to be a busy week,” Faber said, noting the toughest thing for the team will be playing three days in a row — something the team doesn’t do often.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the team will be in action at Dalton Ranch Golf Club in a tournament hosted by Durango.
“Dalton is a real test,” Faber said. “It’s a good golf course.”
The following day, Wednesday, Sept. 9, the team will host the Pagosa Springs Invitational at Pagosa Springs Golf Club beginning at 9 a.m., with the coach indicating the Pirates like the opportunity to play at home.
Then, on Thursday, Sept. 10, the team will head to Salida for the Butch Braswell Memorial at Salida Golf Club.
Faber noted the team has never played in Salida, and no one on the team has experience there.
“That’ll be an interesting trip for us,” he said, adding the team will see a little bit of everything next week.
randi@pagosasun.com
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