Craig Daily Press / Bulldog golfers finish 8th at Haymaker

Archive for Thursday, September 4, 2008

Photo by John F. Russell. Enlarge photo.

Moffat County golfer Erick Leonerd chips onto the No. 11 green at the Haymaker Golf Course in Steamboat Springs on Wednesday afternoon.

By Jennifer L. Grubbs

September 4, 2008

Steamboat Sailors Invitational Results

Top individuals:

1) Cameron Brown, Battle Mountain, 72

2) Jeff Cunningham, Fruita-Monument, 74

3) T. Morris, Meeker, 75

Moffat County Individual Results:

Mark Dockstader, 79

Nick Moyer, 85

Taylor Branstetter, 90

Jake Steele, 96

Erick Leonard, 102

Team scores:

1) Fruita, 233

2) Steamboat, 239

2) Battle Mountain, 239

4) Montrose, 244

5) Grand Junction Central, 248

6) Cedaredge, 251

6) Meeker, 251

8) Moffat County, 254

9) Grand Junction, 257

10) Eagle Valley, 258

11) Basalt, 265

12) Gunnison, 268

13) Delta, 269

14) Rifle, 279

15) Telluride, 291

16) Roaring Fork, 297

After the final ball had dropped Wednesday, the Moffat County High School golf team landed right in the middle of the 16-team field at the Steamboat Sailors Invitational.

The winner of the tournament was Fruita, with a score of 233, followed by a tie for second between Steamboat Springs and Battle Mountain, both at 239.

The Bulldogs placed eighth in the tournament, with a team score of 254. Moffat County head coach Ken Harjes said he was pleased with his team's score in Steamboat.

"That's one of our lowest team scores (this season)," Harjes said.

He said he knew that the 72-par Haymaker Golf Course would present a challenge for his players, at least one of who had not played there before.

"There's some tough shots," Harjes said. "You can't miss the fairway much, or you're in grass up to your waist."

Leading MCHS was Mark Dockstader, who shot a 79.

"I'm pleased with Mark, obviously," Harjes said. "He hasn't played that course, and 79, that's a good round."

Nick Moyer followed Dockstader with an 85. Also playing for MCHS in the Sailors Invitational were Taylor Branstetter (90), Erick Leonard (102) and Jake Steele (96).

Harjes said he was excited to see three of his players' scores at 90 or below.

"That's a tough course, and that's a good round," he said.

Today, the Bulldogs are competing at Yampa Valley Golf Course as they host the Moffat County Invitational, and Harjes said the team's showing in Steamboat should boost his players' spirits for today.

"Coming into our meet, they should have a little bit of confidence," Harjes said.

He said that's important because there's always greater pressure to do well on the home course - the one with which they should be most familiar.

"Golf is funny. In all sports, it's nice to be at home" with a home gym and crowd, he said, but on "a course that you play often like these guys do, you expect them to play well."