4A STATE: Foothill’s Montgomery follows father’s advice, captures crown
RENO — Foothill sophomore Taylor Montgomery said his dad has been yelling at him — a lot.
“It’s been going on for a while now,” a smiling Montgomery said.
But it isn’t about Montgomery’s grades or his inability to make it home before curfew.
“He always yells at me about pin location and that I don’t focus on that enough,” Montgomery said.
His father’s advice helped guide Montgomery to victory in the Class 4A state golf tournament Tuesday at Hidden Valley Country Club despite 50 mph gusts.
The lean sophomore, who captured the Sunrise Region tournament last week, shot 1-over-par 145 for the two-day state tournament.
Coronado captured the team championship with a 781 score. Palo Verde finished second at 806, and Reno was third with 813.
“We really have to give a lot of credit to our depth,” Coronado coach Joe Sawaia said. “Our highest scorer of the day yesterday was our lowest today. That shows you how deep we are.”
Cougars junior A.J. McInerney, the defending champion, battled Montgomery for the individual title down the stretch with the Foothill sophomore taking a one-stroke lead into the final hole.
But McInerney’s approach shot on the par-5 hole faded left of the green, behind a bunker, and Montgomery capitalized.
His approach landed safely on the green, 20 feet from the hole. Montgomery two-putted for birdie to complete a par 72 round and win by three shots.
McInerney took a bogey on 18 to finish at 148.
McInerney entered the final round two shots ahead of Montgomery after shooting 71 on Monday. But Montgomery moved into the lead with eagles on Nos. 1 and 7.
Bishop Manogue’s Kevin Andrews, the first-day leader after a 70, sealed his fate with a 40 on the front nine Tuesday. He finished in fourth place at 149.
The golfers battled unseasonably cold temperatures and strong winds as well as staunch competition.
“I’ve never played in a tournament with conditions this windy,” Andrews said.
But the strong winds couldn’t block out the advice of Montgomery’s father.
On the first day of the tournament, Montgomery said he three-putted on three holes, with each attempt within 15 feet.
“That’s really bad,” said Montgomery, who also admitted he had a few awkward drives that left him in tough positions on the back nine. “I knew I had to correct that today. I knew I had to correct my pin location and not keep giving myself impossible uphill putts.”
Arbor View’s Zane Thomas finished tied with McInerney at 148. Palo Verde’s Brandon Bauman finished fifth at 152.
Palo Verde rallied Tuesday after finishing the first day in fourth place. The Panthers shot 399 on Tuesday, matching Coronado’s team mark, in the tough conditions.
“To go from the way we played yesterday finishing fourth to taking second place is a big deal,” Panthers coach Jeff Wolfram said. “I’m proud of these guys.”
Class 4A Boys State Championship
At Hidden Valley, Reno (par 72)
Tuesday’s Final Round Results
Team Scores
At Hidden Valley, Reno (par 72)
Tuesday’s Final Round Results
Team Scores
Coronado 382-399–781
Palo Verde 407-399–806
Reno 401-412–813
Faith Lutheran 411-407–818
Foothill 398-422–820
McQueen 412-413–825
Palo Verde 407-399–806
Reno 401-412–813
Faith Lutheran 411-407–818
Foothill 398-422–820
McQueen 412-413–825
Top 25 Individuals
Taylor Montgomery, Foot 73-72–145
Zane Thomas, AView 72-76–148
A.J. McInerney, Coro 71-77–148
Kevin Andrews, Manogue 70-79–149
Brandon Bauman, Palo 78-74–152
Kenden Slattery, Coro 80-73–153
Marshall Roenigk, McQ 78-75–153
San Done, FL 75-78–153
Jordon Gilmore, SpanSpr 72-82–154
Errek McClellan, Palo 79-77–156
Garrett Gingell, Carson 79-77–156
Tad Darland, Coro 73-83–156
Soungjae Baek, DOasis 77-80–157
Ben Davis, ShadRidge 81-77–158
Cody Johnson, Palo 79-79–158
Harrison Gray, Reno 77-81–158
Chad Kaercher, FL 80-80–160
Jordon Green, GrnVal 79-81–160
Jordon Glover, Reno 76-84–160
Blaise McComb, GrnVal 81-80–161
Elliot Owens, Pahrump 80-81–161
Dorian Patel, Pahrump 77-84–161
Sage Cunningham, Reno 80-82–162
Christian Pate, Coro 80-82–162
Bailey Rogers, Foot 79-83–162
Josh Fisher, Silv 78-84–162
Nick Greko, Manogue 77-85–162
Zane Thomas, AView 72-76–148
A.J. McInerney, Coro 71-77–148
Kevin Andrews, Manogue 70-79–149
Brandon Bauman, Palo 78-74–152
Kenden Slattery, Coro 80-73–153
Marshall Roenigk, McQ 78-75–153
San Done, FL 75-78–153
Jordon Gilmore, SpanSpr 72-82–154
Errek McClellan, Palo 79-77–156
Garrett Gingell, Carson 79-77–156
Tad Darland, Coro 73-83–156
Soungjae Baek, DOasis 77-80–157
Ben Davis, ShadRidge 81-77–158
Cody Johnson, Palo 79-79–158
Harrison Gray, Reno 77-81–158
Chad Kaercher, FL 80-80–160
Jordon Green, GrnVal 79-81–160
Jordon Glover, Reno 76-84–160
Blaise McComb, GrnVal 81-80–161
Elliot Owens, Pahrump 80-81–161
Dorian Patel, Pahrump 77-84–161
Sage Cunningham, Reno 80-82–162
Christian Pate, Coro 80-82–162
Bailey Rogers, Foot 79-83–162
Josh Fisher, Silv 78-84–162
Nick Greko, Manogue 77-85–162
