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Craig — Finally.

The Moffat County High School golf team did something Tuesday in Aspen it hadn't done all season, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

The Bulldog ball-strikers placed third after their round at Aspen Golf Club, but more importantly, they gained confidence on a course that will decide their state tournament fate.

"At last, we are out of that middle" spot, MCHS coach Ken Harjes said. "We played really well considering the rest of the field. Everybody that's going to be at the regionals was there."

Moffat County returns to Aspen on Sept. 23 to compete in the state regional tournament, and Harjes said the team responded well Tuesday in the regional-preview.

Individually, senior Nick Moyer led the team with a 77 - the lowest round recorded on the day - and finished tied for first place.

Moyer lost the individual title when he triple-bogeyed the first playoff hole.

"Nick was a little nervous, let's put it that way," Harjes said. "He lost on the first hole, but it was good for him because now he's got that playoff experience for further along down the road."

Mark Dockstader continued his hot streak as of late, shooting a 79 on his way to a fifth-place tie.

"There were only six kids that broke 80," Harjes said, "and we had two of them."

Erick Leonard and Parker King tallied 89s, and Taylor Branstetter carded a 92.

"Taylor had a terrible day, But Erick and Parker did well," Harjes said. "They played steady, bogey golf. Compared to the rest of the field, those are good scores."

Harjes was thrilled with the team's performance, saying the time spent on the range is paying off at particularly the right time, considering regionals are around the corner at the same venue.

"I think they focused on it (the course hosting regionals)," Harjes said. "I really believe as a team though, we are starting to see the time spent on the course chipping, putting and hitting range balls, paying off."

The team plays its final regular season tune-up Wednesday at Rangely.

"We fit this last tournament in so we could stay competitive al the way up to the end," Harjes said. "It's a different course than in Aspen, but it's really all the same. We have to go out and hit fairways and greens."