Newkirk’s long-awaited round proves victorious

Erik Newkirk made up for a lost opportunity Monday.

The Palo Verde senior, who missed last year's postseason with an injury, brought plenty of energy, enthusiasm and even a few nerves to Red Rock Country Club for the Sunset Region golf tournament.

He left with a round of 3-over-par 75 and with his team having secured a region title and a berth in the state tournament.

"I was really determined. I was excited to get out here all day," said Newkirk, who injured his knee just before last year's region meet. "It seemed like 1 o'clock would never come."

Newkirk's score helped Palo Verde to a team total of 390, which matched Centennial's score. The Panthers won the title on a tiebreaker determined by the sixth golfer's score.

Bishop Gorman finished third at 409.

The top two teams and top five individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the state meet, scheduled for May 12 and 13 at TPC Las Vegas.

Palo Verde will make its third trip to state in the last four years. Centennial has never played in the state meet.

"You just have to finish as one of those top teams," said Palo Verde coach Jeff Wolfram, whose team won its second straight region title. "It's nice to win the regional, but the most important thing is getting to state."

If Newkirk had trouble with nerves, it didn't show.

He was 1 over on the tricky front nine, playing in gusting winds and a few drops of rain.

"He's been really dedicated the last month and a half," Wolfram said. "He told me he was ready."

Newkirk's back nine wasn't too shabby, either, as he finished with the day's third-best score.

"I hit my irons really well, and I didn't miss many greens," Newkirk said. "I got lucky with a few putts."

Kyle Melchiorre added a 77 for Palo Verde. All six Panthers shot 80 or better.

"Coach always talks about how important regionals are," Newkirk said. "It's not how you play in April, it's how you play in May. We played well."

Centennial's Zach Chyz was the only player to break par, finishing at 1-under 71.

Chyz's effort was even more remarkable considering the junior had been ill the past two days.

"I just had to keep my focus," he said. "I haven't been feeling good. I was throwing up all day."

Centennial's Greg Kerber, the only player to be under par on the back nine, carded a 74.

The individual qualifiers for state are: Bishop Gorman's Kevin Collignon, Connor Morris and Nick Sikorski; Bonanza's Yongsoo Shin; and Arbor View's Mark Agustin.