Located at opposite ends of the state of Utah, Crimson Cliffs and Ridgeline high schools are developing quite a little rivalry in the 4A boys golf ranks.
Ridgeline, a 10-year-old school in the Cache Valley, got the upper hand on Thursday at windy Lakeside Golf Course, edging St. George’s Crimson Cliffs by just two strokes to win its second state title in four years.
The Riverhawks followed Wednesday’s 4-under 280 with an 8-over 292, surviving more difficult conditions and pin placements to earn the crown.
“I think yesterday won it for us,” said Ridgeline coach Sam Lindley. “We got a pretty good run yesterday, got ahead of (Crimson Cliffs) a little bit, and then held them off today.
“We just knew that once we got that lead yesterday, we just had to play pretty good golf to keep them away from us, and look how it turned out — we won by only two strokes.”
The Mustangs did get to do some celebrating on the practice green at Lakeside, however. Crimson Cliffs senior Dylan Winona carded a 69 on Thursday to go with Wednesday’s stunning 65 and claimed medalist honors at 8-under 134.
It was Winona’s best finish at state since he tied for seventh as a freshman at Sky Mountain GC in Hurricane.
“I am so happy right now,” said Winona, who would love to play college golf somewhere but doesn’t currently have any offers. “This means a lot to me and my family.”
Winona won medalist honors by four strokes over Ridgeline freshman Beckham Skinner (-4) as the tournament became a two-man competition down the stretch.
Ridgeline sophomore Dallin Anderson and Crimson Cliffs senior Maverick Rhodes tied for third at even-par 142 and Uintah’s Eastyn Jewell and Park City’s Graham Morgan tied for fifth at 1-over 143.
“I have always kind of been in the shadow of Boston (Bracken) and Lincoln (Markham) the first two years, so this means a lot,” Winona said. “Those guys are great, though. I love them.”
Bracken now plays for Arizona State and Markham will play for BYU when he returns from a church mission.
“Last year we didn’t really do too well, so to win it this year, my senior year, it means a lot,” Winona said, crediting his coach, accomplished amateur Tommy Johnson, for helping him along the way.
“Really, I just love it so much that I could take home the individual (title).”
Led by medalist Rawson Hardy, Park City claimed the team crown last year at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Taylorsville. The Miners rallied Thursday from seventh to third, while Dixie was fourth and Mountain Crest fifth.
Ridgeline’s Lindley said they knew Crimson Cliffs “was the team to beat this year, because they are so deep and so good.”
But when the Mustangs got off to a slow start Wednesday, Ridgeline pounced on the opportunity.
“They have been the team to beat since they became a school (in 2019),” Lindley said.
Along with Skinner and Anderson, Ridgeline got solid play from Bryson Knowles (T10), Roman Johansen, Freddy Wayment and Jake Darley.
“Our two youngest players have played the best all year for me, Beckham Skinner and Dallin Anderson,” Lindley said. “They proved it again during the state tournament.
“Then we had a couple players really play well this week, Bryson Knowles and Jake Darley. They helped us win yesterday when they really set the stage for today.”
Lindley said he has another outstanding golfer joining the team next year as a freshman, but will lose seven seniors.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we are back here with Crimson Cliffs all over again next year,” Lindley said.
Class 4A State Tournament
At Par 71 Lakeside Golf Course, West Bountiful
Final Team Scores
1, Ridgeline (+4)
2, Crimson Cliffs (+6)
3, Park City (+22)
4, Dixie (+26)
5, Mountain Crest (+28)
6, Uintah (+31)
7, East (+33)
8, Pine View (+35)
9, Desert Hills (+36)
10, Sky View (+44)
Individual Results
1, Dylan Winona, Crimson Cliffs (-8)
2, Beckham Skinner, Ridgeline (-4)
T3, Dallin Anderson, Ridgeline (E); Maverick Rhodes, Crimson Cliffs (E)
T5, Eastyn Ewell, Uintah (+1); Graham Morgan, Park City (+1).
T7, Linus Einum, Park City (+2); Luke Brown, Dixie (+2)
9, William Andrus, Hurricane (+3)
T10, Miles Cromwell, Sky View (+4); Bryson Knowles, Ridgeline (+4); Aiden. Peterson, Mountain View (+4); Ollie Pearce, East (+4).
T14, Stockton Archibald, Mountain Crest (+5); Korver Hawkins, Uintah (+5); Luke Christensen, Desert Hills (+5), Daniel Holmberg, Highland (+5); Andre Rosales, Desert Hills (+6); Daxton Groll, Mountain Crest (+6); Ammon Allred, Snow Canyon (+6); Russell Israelsen, Dixie (+6); Fisher Campagna, Judge Memorial (+6); Finn Patterson, Green Canyon (+6), Ben Wright, East (+6).