Author: By Andrew Sorensen
Rowland Hall senior Garret Furubayashi was calm during his playoff for the medalist honors. Well, calmer than previous years at least.
Furubayashi was clearly feeling some pressure on the 18th hole of Soldier Hollow G.C.’s Silver Course during his playoff with Manti’s Davis Hardy. However, he was able to overcome the nerves and win the individual portion of the 2A boys golf state championship, defeating Hardy on the 2nd playoff hole. Joining him in the winner’s circle was Grand high school which shot a 616 two-day total to win the team portion of state.
“It feels really good,” Grand head coach Aaron Woodard said. “The kids really wanted it.
Led by sophomore Masen Ward who shot a two-day total of 150, the Red Devils easily took home the team trophy beating second place South Sevier by 15 shots. Grand also received contribution from Brendon Woodard, Alec Williams, and Brayden Ward. Rounding out Grand’s squad was Kane Scherer and Tobin Wainer.
“The kids themselves are the ones who wanted it and they practiced so hard for it and they went after it and got it,” Woodard said. “It’s all on the kids.”
But it was Furubayashi and Davis who stole the show when they went to their sudden-death playoff. Furubayashi who shot a day-one 75, improved on Thursday shooting a 72. Hardy who shot 78 on Wednesday, made a huge improvement to take Furubayashi to a playoff as he shot 69 on Thursday.
In the playoff, they took to number 18 on the Silver Course where they each made par the first time around. On their second try on number 18, Furubayashi stroked a hybrid right down the middle of the fairway. Hardy meanwhile found a fairway bunker.
Furubayashi hit his second shot about 50 yards in from of the green while Hardy was only able to advance about 20 from the bunker.
Hardy hit up by the green and found the green in four shots putting the pressure on Furubayashi who hit his approach shot to the fringe in front of the green. However, in the big moment, the Rowland Hall senior was calm enough to chip his shot to about five feet away.
Hardy missed his 15-footer while Furubayashi made his putt giving him his first individual state title.
“I was a little stressed out in the playoff but I guess it all worked out,” Furubayashi said. “It was kind of nerve-racking.”
Rowland Hall head coach has been with Furubayashi since he was a freshman and Camacho has noticed the improvement in Furubayashi’s game.
“We started working together when he was a freshman and all the hours he has put in to make this happen are countless,” Camacho said. “He was there in the winter-time, when it was 100 degrees outside, when it was raining.”
Behind Furubayashi and Hardy came Grand’s Ward and Woodard at third and fourth place, respectively.
South Sevier, who was tied for fourth place after Wednesday, shot a 305 team total on Thursday to swoop in and take second in the team competition.
TEAM SCORES
1 Grand 616; 2. South Sevier 631; 3. Manti 647; 4. Waterford 653; 5. Rowland Hall 654; 6. Emery 666; 7. South Summit 701; 8. San Juan 707; 9. Beaver 712; 10. Delta 730.
INDIVIDUALS
147 – * Garret Furubayashi, Rowland Hall; Davis Hardy, Manti
150 – Mason Ward, Grand
152 – Brendon Woodard, Grand, Rowdee Taylor, South Sevier
153 – Juan Brigard, Layton Christian
154 – Davis Heslington, Beaver
155 – Gage Ekker, South Sevier
156 – Alec Williams, Grand; Jack Nilsen, Waterford
158 – Brayden Ward, Grand; Race Nielsen, Emery
163 – Payton Jones, Kanab; Braxton Quarnberg, Manti
164 – Walter Robson, Waterford; Mckoy Holt, Emery
166 – Max Evans, Waterford
*won playoff