4A STATE: McInerney, Coronado in position to win
May 16, 2011 - 5:42 pm
RENO — Golf is a game of adjustments. Coronado’s A.J. McInerney knows that.
The defending Class 4A state champion struggled through a lingering back injury and some unfamiliar green speeds to shoot 1-under-par 71 during the first day of the state golf tournament at Hidden Valley Country Club.
McInerney was one stroke behind Bishop Manogue’s Kevin Andrews going into Tuesday’s final round, which begins at 9:15 a.m.
McInerney breezed to victory last year as a sophomore. He shot a two-day total of 134 and won the tournament by 11 strokes.
This year’s tournament won’t be as easy.
“He’s struggling, but A.J. is the kind of guy who will come back the next day better than anyone else because he will make the necessary adjustments,” Coronado coach Joe Sawaia said.
Coronado, the defending champion, is the team leader going into the final day with a score of 382. Foothill is second at 398 and Reno third at 401.
The state tournament is only McInerney’s second event since he began having back issues about two months ago. McInerney sat out for more than a month and did not return until the Sunrise Region tournament last week, finishing second with a pair of 71s.
Foothill’s Taylor Montgomery, who won the Sunrise Region tournament, shot 73 on Monday. Also in the mix is Spanish Springs’ Jordan Gilmore (72) and Arbor View’s Zane Thomas (72).
McInerney shot par 36 on the front nine but ran into trouble by three-putting the 14th hole.
“I knew the double (bogey) on 14 would hurt a bit,” said McInerney, who has committed to play at UNLV. “I knew I had to bounce back after that.”
McInerney adjusted and came back with consecutive birdies. Even with the back issues, McInerney regularly outdrove his competition. McInerney’s drive on the 16th hole soared nearly 350 yards and set him up for an easy birdie opportunity after a short chip.
But hitting off the tee wasn’t the issue for most golfers in Reno on Monday.
“We misread so many puts,” said McQueen senior Marshall Roenigk, who shot 78. “I simply can’t explain the greens.”
Sawaia said the green conditions were even more unfamiliar for Las Vegas golfers, who are used to bent grass greens, not Poa annua greens, which have more strands of grass and tend to be more bumpy.
“It’s something we should have planned for more,” Sawaia said. “I’m confident we will make adjustments for it and come out more prepared (today).”
Class 4A Boys
State Championship
At Hidden Valley, Reno (par 72)
Monday’s First Round Results
State Championship
At Hidden Valley, Reno (par 72)
Monday’s First Round Results
Team Scores
Coronado 382
Foothill 398
Reno 401
Palo Verde 407
Faith Lutheran 411
McQueen 412
Foothill 398
Reno 401
Palo Verde 407
Faith Lutheran 411
McQueen 412
Top 25 Individuals
Kevin Andrews, Manogue 70
A.J. McInerney, Cor 71
Jordan Gilmore, SpanSpr 72
Zane Thomas, ArbView 72
Tad Darland, Cor 73
Taylor Montgomery, Foot 73
Sam Done, FL 75
Jordan Glover, Reno 75
Naryan Gill, Galena 76
Harrison Gray, Reno 77
Soungjae Baek, DesOasis 77
Dorian Patel, Pahrump 77
Nick Greco, Manogue 77
Marshall Roenigk, McQ 78
Brandon Bauman, Palo 78
Josh Fisher, Sil 78
Hayden Cottle, GV 78
Matt Welch, Cor 79
Julian Glasser, Cor 79
Bailey Rogers, Foot 79
Cody Johnson, Palo 79
Errek McClellan, Palo 79
Jordan Green, GrnValley 79
Garrett Gingell, Carson 79
Cody Smith, GrnValley 79
A.J. McInerney, Cor 71
Jordan Gilmore, SpanSpr 72
Zane Thomas, ArbView 72
Tad Darland, Cor 73
Taylor Montgomery, Foot 73
Sam Done, FL 75
Jordan Glover, Reno 75
Naryan Gill, Galena 76
Harrison Gray, Reno 77
Soungjae Baek, DesOasis 77
Dorian Patel, Pahrump 77
Nick Greco, Manogue 77
Marshall Roenigk, McQ 78
Brandon Bauman, Palo 78
Josh Fisher, Sil 78
Hayden Cottle, GV 78
Matt Welch, Cor 79
Julian Glasser, Cor 79
Bailey Rogers, Foot 79
Cody Johnson, Palo 79
Errek McClellan, Palo 79
Jordan Green, GrnValley 79
Garrett Gingell, Carson 79
Cody Smith, GrnValley 79