With only one point separating the top two teams, the race for the Region 14 crown is presently tighter than airport security. Waterford and Rowland Hall have battled almost to a draw, splitting five official matches three to two, respectively. With the season on the verge of wrapping up and the title on the line, the brain trusts throughout the region feel that Rowland Hall is likely to finish on top despite the fact that it currently trails.
"We have a lot more depth," says Terry Ellefsen, coach of the Winged Lions.
"(Waterford) has a few really good golfers, but we have more. Even our number eight guy has scored for us in tournaments.'
If Rowland Hall is to defeat the Ravens, they will need to find an answer for Robert McCrae, a senior who is widely regarded as one of the best golfers in the region, division and state. "We don't have anyone who can match up consistently with that McCrae kid," Ellefsen said. "We're going to need all of our guys to step up as a team."
While the scramble for the region title is first on Rowland Hall's list of concerns, the Winged Lions are also focused on the upcoming state tourney. Ellefsen's squad played well throughout the season last time around but was unable to make that success translate into a strong showing at state, finishing sixth.
"One of our main goals for this season was to improve on where we finished last year," Ellefsen said. "I know that we can do better than that."
The good news for all of the Rowland Hall faithful is that the current squad has experience in spades, an advantage that should help them avoid a second consecutive disappointing finish. Twins Collin and KC Rommel make up half of a fearsome foursome of talented seniors. They, along with Ashel Koles and Doug Gerpheide, represent the Lions' most potent scoring threat. Nick Jobs, a remarkably consistent freshman, is also trying to make a name for himself.
"I'm proud of those four seniors," Ellefsen said. "They've all been playing well lately. Doug (Gerpheide) shot a double eagle last week. I don't think that anyone else has done that all year."
All year, Ellefsen has been stressing the importance of each player focusing on his own game rather than letting the course or the opposition dictate how a particular hole is played. Whether or not the players heed her advice should go a long way in determining where the team finishes in both region and state play.
"Our region is tough, but there are good teams all over the state," Ellefsen said. "I think that Beaver and Richfield are the two best. We'll have to be at our best if we want a shot at beating them."
WATERFORD: All the votes are in, and the results from all over the state say pretty much the same thing: The world of 2A golf revolves around Robert McCrae.
This Waterford senior has used his considerable talent to create quite a reputation for himself.
"He is really gifted," said South Summit coach Troy Coil. "Last week I saw him shoot two under par on a course he had never seen in his life. I've never seen anyone do that."
If Waterford is to secure the Region 14 title and make a run at the 2A crown, McCrae will have to be at his very best. The Ravens are not very deep and will need all that he can give plus a little bit of luck if they are to increase the one-point lead they presently hold over rival Rowland Hall.
SOUTH SUMMIT: The golf team at South Summit High is fairly content with its current position. The Wildcats have a firm grip on the third-place spot in one of 2A's toughest regions and are virtually guaranteed a coveted spot at the state tourney.
"We've done OK to this point," said coach Troy Coil. Coil. "Third place really isn't bad, especially in this strong of a region."
With no clear No. 1 player, the Wildcats boast one of the most even squads in their division. Juniors Jake Todd and Josh Hannay, along with sophomore Mark McNeil, are just three of the players that will need to play to the very best of their abilities if South Summit is to continue to improve.
JUAB: Having won exactly one a third of all the state championships held in the past nine years, John Fillmore has a notion of what it takes to field a competitive golf team year in and year out.
Although Juab's team has struggled somewhat this season, Fillmore knows that the Wasps have a bright future if they can eliminate the mistakes that have plagued them since August. "Our putting has been driving me crazy," said Fillmore. "But I know that we'll be good for the next couple of years if we just hang in there."
Sophomores Luke Flickenger, Tyson Ashworth, Ryan Elder and Kevin Jackson are four second-year players that will provide a solid foundation on which coach John Fillmore can rebuild his once-proud program. Junior Kyle Higginson provides leadership for this young but promising group of teens.
NORTH SUMMIT: Dave Anderton, the coach at North Summit, tells his players not to worry about the other teams in their region. Or state. Or even about winning. His unique attitude is a result of 13 years of helping his team make the best of a very difficult geographical situation.
"The closest golf course is over a half hour away," Anderton said. "That makes it hard to get a team together. I just try to make sure that the kids are having fun."
While North Summit is currently in fifth place in Region 14, the Braves are technically still in contention for the last spot at the upcoming state tourney. If they are to leapfrog region rival Juab, they will need their two stars, senior Nick Robinson and junior Garrick Richins, to lead their otherwise inexperienced team.