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Summit High boys golf closes season with Keystone Ranch Invitational

Sebastian Foltz
sfoltz@summitdaily.com
Senior Mike Magnuson lines up to putt during Thursday's Keystone Ranch invitational. He will head to Gypsum to play in Regionals this week.
Sebastian Foltz / sfoltz@summitdaily.com | Summit Daily

The Summit boys golf team closed their regular season by hosting 17 schools (21 teams) at their annual Keystone Ranch Invitational last Thursday.

Summit finished sixth of the 21 total teams with a team score of 245.

Four Boulder-area schools were unable to attend due to flooding.



Golfing powerhouse Vail Christian stole the show with their A and B teams finishing first and second for the second year in a row. The A team finished shooting an impressive 3-under par 213. The B team wasn’t far behind with a 217. Seven of the school’s players finished in the top eight in individual scoring. Valor A team member Jake Staiano took first place in the tournament with a 68, 4-under par.

Seniors Nick Witrock and Dave Metzger led the way for Summit. Witrock, who shot a 77, finished 15th out of 85 golfers who participated. Metzger tied for 20th shooting an 80.



Junior Jack Bilenduke and senior Mike Magnuson will join Witrock and Metzger to compete in regionals Tuesday at Gypsum Creek.

Tiger coach Gary Sorensen commended his teams effort against steep competition at the Keystone Ranch Invitational, adding that they did leave a few shots out there. The team finished just 6-strokes behind fourth place Ralston.

“We had a performance that the vast majority of teams would be pretty satisfied with,” Sorensen said. “It’s a good reality check for the mental attitude these guys will need to bring next week (at regionals).”

As a whole Sorensen was impressed by his team’s effort on the season, saying they showed continued improvement.

“This year I’ve seen better adjustment to the mental approach,” he said. “I’m seeing more guys aware that there’s a fun way and a smart way to play.”

He elaborated, saying typically high school golfers try to go for the big shot instead of playing it safe. This year’s team has learned to play more conservative and it’s led to improved results.

The top team at regionals will go on to state, which will be held at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen this year, Sept. 30-Oct. 1. In addition to the top team, the 10 best individual golfers will also go on to state.

“I’d be ecstatic if the team went. It would be a long shot but not out of the realm of possibilities,” Sorensen said. “They’re capable.”

Three years ago his team fell just one stroke short of making it to state.

He’s confident, however, that if the team doesn’t come away with the win, one or two individuals from Summit will qualify.

“We’ve got a chance to qualify some people,” he said. “I will be disappointed if we don’t get one or two guys.”


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