MIDWAY — If Park City’s golf team was even a bit nervous competing in its first-ever 5A state championship, the scores didn’t show it.
The Miners, who have dominated 4A competition, finished the first day of the two-day 5A golf championships with a combined team score of 294, just three shots off of defending 5A champion Skyline, which finished shooting a combined 291.
“We’re excited to be here in 5A and looking forward to tomorrow,” said Park City coach George Murphy. “The kids played well with some tough conditions with the wind, so scores weren’t as low as they usually are for some of these kids, but overall we’re pleased and in a good spot heading into the final day.”
Park City was paced by Wyatt Petersen and his low round of 70, which was the best score of the day.
“Wyatt had a good day and helped us be within three shots, a margin that can be made up real quick,” Murphy said. “It’s great because we need to be at our best to beat some of the great programs in 5A like Farmington and Skyline and all the others. We’re happy and I think we proved today that we’re ready to compete at this level.”
As for Skyline, it returns several players off of last year’s championship team, although those players are still relatively young, according to Eagle coach Kenny James.
“They’re young, confident and they all feel they should shoot 66 or 67 every round,” James said. “They make more birdies in a day than I make in a week and I’m just fortunate to be able to coach them.”
Leading the way for Skyline on Monday were Sean Lam and Tyson Shelley, both of whom shot a 71. Simon Kwan added a round of 73 with Peter Kim shooting a 75 for the team’s combined 291.
“We’re not unhappy about the scores because of the conditions today, even though the kids may be a bit disappointed,” James said. “It’s obviously great to be leading by three shots heading into the final day, but we know there’s a lot of great programs right behind us.”
Park City is well within striking distance only three shots back along with Farmington, which matched the Miners’ 294 score led by a round of 71 by Braxton Watts and a 73 scored by Ben Seely. Lehi holds down the fourth spot with a combined score of 304 with Spanish Fork right behind them shooting 305.
“It’s going to be a great final day and an exciting final day,” James said. “We’re going to have to be at our best and we’re hoping to come out on top again.”