A four-stroke penalty couldn’t keep Crimson Cliffs’ Boston Bracken down as he won his second individual 4A title and led the Mustangs to a back-to-back 4A state championship.
The day started in a tight race between Crimson Cliffs and Orem, with the Mustangs narrowly leading Orem by three strokes after day one of the tournament.
Unfortunately, the weather did not improve from Day 1, and the tournament continued amid the cold, rain, and wind. Despite the harsh weather, Crimson Cliffs found some separation and took a 13-stroke lead over Orem.
However, as Bracken finished in the last group, he realized he had an extra club in his bag, causing a four-stroke penalty. Bracken still finished the day with a five-stroke lead over second place and earned his second individual state title in a row.
“Honestly, I thought it was a two-shot penalty for every hole,” said Bracken. “I had 15 clubs in the bag, cleaning up this morning in the hotel I put my 5 wood in the bag and did not take it out this morning. When we got to the 17th tee I realized ‘Shoot, I got 15 clubs in my bag.’”
“I was a little distraught, I thought it was a 32-shot penalty, luckily it was only four. I buried the last two holes, which I’m not sure how because mentally, I wasn’t there. But it was a good finish and I’m proud of the team.”
In the end, Crimson Cliffs ended the day with a 579, which was more than enough to take it over Orem who ended with a 595.