Payson Roundup

When asked if there was a high school golf team in Arizona that could beat Snowflake — including those in the 4A and 5A “big school” ranks — PHS coach Bret Morse only shrugged his shoulders, lauding the powerful Lobos as a prep juggernaut.

While that question cannot be answered in the state tournament, because it will include just 3A teams, fans will learn today if the Lobos are indeed the conference’s best when the finals wrap up at Posten Butte at the Anthem course. The tournament tee-off was yesterday, May 11.

“Looks like Snowflake will run away short of disqualification,” Morse said. “Safford has beaten everyone else in 3A this year except Snowflake — actually Safford did beat them once, but Snowflake did not have their one or two players.”

The coach also predicts Fountain Hills, Sedona, Estrella Foothills, Wickenburg, Blue Ridge and his Longhorns will make noise at state.

Evidence of just how good Snowflake is has existed since last season when the Lobos won the state title behind the efforts of then-freshman Kyle Jones, the 3A gold medalist.

Lobo power turned even more evident May 4 and 5 during the East region meet when Snowflake ran away with the title, posting a card of 596 that easily outdistanced runner-up Payson’s score of 680.

Individually, Snowflake golfers finished in the top four slots and also took the sixth spot.

Jones led all golfers with a two-day score of 138 (70 and 68).

For Payson, Filip Frojd led all linksters with a 169 (80 and 89) that was ninth overall.

Cody Waterman and Mason Dacanay finished at 170 (both were 82 and 89) to tie with Show Low’s Daniel Patterson for 10th.

Rounding out the Longhorn card were Tyler Apps (171; 87 and 84), Anthony Smith (172; 89 and 93) and Alex Korth (188; 94 and 94).

Morse praised his team for playing well on day one (331), but “not as well on day two” (349).

Trailing first-place Snowflake and runner-up Payson in the final team standings were Blue Ridge (694), Holbrook (713), Show Low (716) and Winslow (723).