craigdailypress.com

Moffat County High School golf coach Ken Harjes is realistic with his expectations, but he was ecstatic with Wednesday's results.

Playing the same course the Bulldogs will see at the Sept. 22 regional tournament, Moffat County finished seventh Wednesday at the Steamboat Sailors Invitational at Haymaker Golf Course.

The team shot a 245, just 11 shots off of champion Battle Mountain. Battle Mountain, Steamboat Springs and Montrose tied for the championships, with Huskies senior Cameron Brown winning it for Battle Mountain on a playoff hole.

Still, when Harjes looks at the leaderboard, his team finished fifth out of Class 4A schools.

In addition to Mark Dockstader's 77, placing him in a tie for fifth overall and fourth in 4A, Taylor Branstetter shot 81, Parker King shot 87, Greg Blackstun shot 91, and Trey Juergensen shot 93.

"We finished seventh and you look at the six teams that beat us," Harjes said. "Fruita is in there but they're 5A. Montrose, Cortez, Steamboat and Battle Mountain - those teams have been beating us all year. They're good teams and we're right there. I'm pleased."

Just think of some of the shots left on the course.

Branstetter's round featured a double bogey on No. 8 and a nine on the par 5 ninth. King had several double bogeys. Only Dockstader didn't have a roller coaster of a round. His 5-over-par round included 13 pars and five bogeys.

"No question," Harjes said, "we can be below 240 with any kind of golf."

Harjes said the tournament served several purposes. It gave his team the chance to see where the regional tournament will be played, and it let them know they have the chance to compete with some of the top teams on the Western Slope.

Now the Bulldogs turn their attention to their home meet at 9 a.m. today at Yampa Valley Golf Course.

Harjes said the home tournament serves as a double-edged sword. Moffat County is expected to play well because it's at its home course, but with those expectations comes pressure.

Still Harjes said with this group, he thinks the Bulldogs will play well in their friendly confines.

"We're excited. First of all we don't have to travel," Harjes said. "We were already joking, should we meet at the school then drive to Rifle and back? It's nice. Again at home we play really well. Sometimes at home the kids feel like they have to press. But these guys are stable. They're not a group that plays well and then loses it. I think they'll play well (today). I really do think so."