Twin Falls doubles up on state team titles

The Twin Falls High boys golf team came back to the field in the final day of the State 5A tournament Tuesday.

The Bruins’ first-day lead more than held up, though, as Twin Falls captured the state championship at the Lewiston Country Club with 592. Coeur d’Alene finished second, right where it left off after the first day, with 601, a stroke ahead of Eagle.

CdA junior Tyler Johnson finished as second medalist. He shot 1-over-par 73 to go with his first-day 71. Colton Carbol of Highland captured state medalist with 71-72-143.

“I’m happy with the boys,” CdA coach Bryan Duncan said. “We were either first or second in all of our tournaments this year. That’s something to be proud of. We fell short of our goal. Most of our guys are back next year and told them immediately after the round that next season starts right now.”

Ryan Erickson, the Vikings’ lone senior, matched Johnson’s 73. Cody Mee shot 77 and Taylor Porter, who was even par after nine holes, had 79.

Johnson had three bogeys to go with two birdies. He had a chance to force a playoff for top medalist honors when his second shot on the par-5 18th hole was even with the green. He left his chip shot from 15 feet away 10 feet left of the hole, and two-putted for par.

“I wasn’t really happy with any part of my game,” Johnson said. “It was a tough chip on 18. I had a tough downhill stance. Overall, I’m happy with the way I played (at state). Next year, I’ll get it (medalist honors). We could have played better as a team, but it was tough course.”

Twin Falls’ girls claimed the state title with 649, 30 strokes ahead of 2006 state champ Timberline. Lewiston (743) earned a trophy by finishing fourth.

Post Falls sophomore Genna Dodge finished sixth among the girls as she duplicated her first-day 82 for 164, a stroke out of fifth. Carissa Simmons of Timberline earned state medalist honor with 75-76-151.

“It’s a little bit of a disappointment for her,” Post Falls coach Jeff Hinz said. “She wanted to finish a little higher.”

Dodge had no regrets.

“I played better than I did (Monday), but my score didn’t show it,” Dodge said. “My drives were very good and I was fine from the fairway. But I messed up my chipping. I wanted to play great, but it just didn’t happen. I’ll be back next year.”

State 4A

Moscow sophomore Chris Williams torched the University of Idaho Golf Course.

Williams fired a second-day round of 6-under 66 to win state medalist honors with a two-day total of 7-under 137. He topped runner-up Dillon Laan of Middleton by 11 strokes.

Williams helped Moscow secure fourth place and a trophy. Pocatello ran away with the boys team title, finishing at 621 and 20 strokes ahead of runner-up Century.

In the girls, Bishop Kelly earned its third consecutive win in dominating fashion. The Knights shot 645 to finish 114 ahead of runner-up Jerome.

Katie Skinner of BK earned state medalist honors with a two-day total of 155.

State 3A

Shelley’s boys and girls had no difficulty repeating, finishing with a two-day total of 605 at the Prairie Falls Golf Club, 20 ahead of runner-up Salmon. Shelley’s girls were better, firing 737. Weiser was second (815). Kellogg (852) took third.

Tanner Higham of Shelley won the boys state medalist with 143. Sheryl Bitter of Shelley nipped sister Shayla by a stroke with 171. Shelby Hatfield of Priest River was third with a 179. Kelsey Harden led Kellogg with a 194.

State 2A

Wallace’s Dayne Evanson finished fourth with a two-round total of 164, leading the Wallace boys to a fourth-place finish at the Orofino Golf & Country Club.

For the girls, Wallace took third. The Miners’ Cara Hayman shot a 181.