Golfers look for state trophy

The Saratoga Panther Golf team had their best scores yet on Saturday in Lusk, which could mean they have a chance at a trophy at state this week.

Guy Erickson finished sixth, with the team finishing in third with a score of 853. Saratoga competed against six other teams.

Head coach Jared Mason said Friday was miserable on the course; with the cold and wind, the players did not do well. They made up for it Saturday. The weather improved and so did the scores.

“Saturday was their best round of the year,” Mason said.

The golf team had a good chance to see what they would be up against this weekend, as almost all of the 1A/2A teams played in Lusk.

Guy Erickson had a 99 on Friday and a 98 on Saturday. Cristian Soles golfed a 101 and 104, with Hazer Hinkle scoring a 133 and 99. Joe LaBorde golfed 118 and 102 and Torin Hedley finished with a 138 Friday and 103 Saturday.

Soles placed 12th against the 35 golfers, with LaBorde getting 17th, Hinkle 20th and Hedley placing 23rd.

Mason expects Sundance and Thermopolis to take the top two trophies at state, but depending on how his team does compared to Lusk will determine the Panthers’ placing at the end of the tournament.

Lusk played their golf course well Friday when the weather was bad, but did not do so well on the second day, Mason said.

With all of the Panthers closing in with scores lower than 100, the team has a solid chance at third place, Mason said.

The tournament begins Thursday in Wright, a course the Panthers became familiar with earlier in the season. Thursday practice rounds begin with the teams responsible for their own tee times. Friday, a shotgun start begins the tournament at 9 a.m.