State golf
5A
When: Thursday and Friday
Where: Twin Falls Municipal Golf Course, Twin Falls
Defending champs: Boys – Coeur d’Alene. Girls – Twin Falls.
Area qualifiers: Boys – Coeur d’Alene (Region I champ), Lewiston. Girls – Lewiston (Region I champ), Coeur d’Alene.
At a glance: Coeur d’Alene captured its fifth state title since 1996 last year and third under coach Darrell Hull, who announced his resignation well before state. First-year Viks coach Bryan Duncan inherited a young team, but it figures to be in the mix for a state trophy. “We’ve sort of flown under the radar and have played hard,” Duncan said. Timberline, Meridian, Eagle and Highland along with host Twin Falls figure to challenge for the state title in the boys. In the girls, perennial power Twin Falls will be difficult to dethrone on its home course. Twin Falls has won four of the last five titles and nine since 1993.
4A
When: Monday and Tuesday
Where: Rupert Country Club, Rupert
Defending champs: Boys – Bishop Kelly. Girls – Caldwell.
Area qualifiers: Boys – Post Falls (Region I champ), Sandpoint. Girls – Moscow (Region I champ), Post Falls.
At a glance: Post Falls’ boys, fourth at state last year, shot the lowest qualifying score (306). “The team is peaking at the right time,” Post Falls coach Craig Newton said. “We started slow at the beginning of the season, but our last two rounds have been our best of the season. Whether we’ve got two more in us I don’t know. It sounds like we’re in the running.” Bishop Kelly is seeking a second consecutive title. David Nuhn of Moscow and Zach Broughton, Travis Broughton and Nick Cuchessi of Post Falls will challenge for state medalist honors.
3A
When: Monday and Tuesday
Where: Clear Lakes Golf Course, Buhl
Defending champs: Boys – Weiser (did not qualify). Girls – Weiser.
Area qualifiers: Boys – Kellogg (District I champ), Bonners Ferry, which defeated Priest River in a one-hole playoff. Girls – Kellogg (District I champ), St. Maries.
At a glance: Kellogg’s boys shot the lowest qualifying score (311) and figure to challenge Fruitland, Kimberly, Payette, Shelley and American Falls for state trophies. In the girls, Kellogg took third last year and will be among the trophy contenders.
2A
When: Monday and Tuesday
Where: Burley Municipal Golf Course, Burley
Defending champs: Boys – Wendell. Girls – Homedale.
Area qualifiers: Boys – Wallace (District I-II champ), Clark Fork. Girls – Wallace (District I champ).
Note: State medalists in each tournament are determined in the first round. The four teams with the lowest first-round scores and any team within 10 strokes of third will play the second round to decide team titles and placing. Team trophies are awarded to the champion and runner-up. Medals will be awarded to the individuals of the top four teams.
Greg Lee