Throughout much of Wednesday’s final round of the 1A boys state tournament, Wayne narrowly trailed region foe Milford, the front runner with a low regular season stroke average.
The Badgers were always within striking distance, and with four holes remaining they needed a late push to pull off the comeback.
That’s exactly what they did, winning their first-ever boys golf state title in the process.
As a team, Wayne played the final four holes nine strokes better than Milford, rallying to shoot a two-day team score of 643 at Rose Park Golf Course, while Milford had to settle for second with a 648 team score.
Panguitch shot a 668 to finish third as a team.
Reminiscing about what it took for Wayne to win a title just six years after starting the program, coach Mike Hinkle couldn’t help but get choked up.
“We practice on a baseball field and pick up shag balls. Our kids gotta drive an hour to a golf course. This group of boys grew up playing middle school golf because me and my buddy, assistant coach, are obsessed with golf,” said Hinkle. “And to see these kids come through, my son’s a senior, extremely excited for our team, and for our girls, too (who finished second).”
Wayne finished runner-up at the 1A state tournament each of the past two years, and on the back nine it looked like a similar outcome was in store.
Hinkle kept hammering home the same message, the same thing he told them after they shot a phenomenal 312 in the opening round but still trailed Milford by two strokes.
“Just focus on what you’ve got control over, and that’s your attitude and your routine. Just be disciplined in what we focus on, and that’s our attitude and our effort. Chin up, shoulders back and stay walking tall all day long. Whatever happens happens,” said Hinkle.
Wayne’s top four golfers all finished in the top 12, with senior Miles Hinkle tying for second, sophomore Canyon Daley in fourth, sophomore Blake Peterson tied for eighth and Gage New in 12th place.
New was a birdie putt away on No. 18 on the first day of breaking 80 for the first time in his career. Daley shot a 73 on Day 1, one of the best rounds of his life.
Coach Hinkle said his son Miles was battling heat stroke and throwing up toward the end of Wednesday’s round in 90-degree temperatures. He found a way to still shoot 76.
Blake Peterson was Wayne’s most consistent golfer, shooting 83 both days while the rest of his teammates’ scores dipped in Round 2.
“Wayne’s only had a golf program a few years, a couple runners-up, we finally got it done. It’s just super exciting. I’m super proud of these kids. Grateful for the chance to coach them and grateful to see my son go out a state champion,” said coach Hinkle.
Wayne’s other two golfers who competed in the state tournament were junior Keaton Giles and freshman Bowen Pace.
Individual medalist honors went to Milford sophomore Rhett Barnes, who shot a 3-over, 147 to win by six strokes over Panguitch senior Camden Englestead and Miles Hinkle.
Barnes labored through a round of 78 on Wednesday, but was always firmly in control after his career round on Wednesday as he shot a 3-over, 69. It was his first competitive round in the 60s and matched his all-time low score.
“I played the same as I did the first day, but the second day, putter was not very good in the front nine,” said Barnes.
The sophomore had three double bogeys on the front nine, but changed his approach with his chipping on the back nine and finished with a 37 and a 41 first nine.
Class 1A state tournament
At Rose Park Golf Course
Final Team scores
- Wayne, 643
- Milford, 648
- Panguitch, 668
- Rich, 677
- St. Joseph, 691
- Valley, 693
- Monticello, 708
Final individual results (Top 25)
- 147 — Rhett Barnes, Milford, So.
- 153 — Camden Englestead, Panguitch, Sr.
- 153 — Miles Hinkle, Wayne, Sr.
- 156 — Canyon Daley, Wayne, So.
- 158 — Breckin Lambeth, Milford, So.
- 158 — Nash Parry, Rich, So.
- 165 — Keenan Chamberlain, Valley, Sr.
- 166 — Canyon Christensen, Monticello, Jr.
- 166 — Blake Peterson, Wayne, So.
- 166 — Chase Fridberg-Gerlic, Saint Joseph, Sr.
- 167 — Payson Harris, Valley, Jr.
- 168 — Gage New, Wayne, Sr.
- 169 — Taycen Ramsey, Panguitch, Sr.
- 169 — Paxton Nicolodemos, Rich, Jr.
- 169 — Landon Wolf, Saint Joseph, So.
- 171 — Kooper Nielson, Monticello, Sr.
- 171 — Maddix Alger, Milford, So.
- 172 — Boston Sullivan, Milford, Sr.
- 173 — Parker Harrison, Altamont, Sr.
- 173 — Joseph Huseman, Saint Joseph, Fr.
- 173 — Ridge Lundgren, Rich, Sr.
- 174 — TJ Tebbs, Panguitch, So.
- 174 — Gunner Eliason, Piute, Sr.
- 175 — Hayzen Owens, Panguitch, Sr.
- 178 — Weston Baird, Valley, Jr.