Two different courses, the same 76 for Durango High School’s Cameron Barnhardt.
Barnhardt backed up a 76 shot Wednesday at Conqusitador Golf Course in Cortez with another 76 on Thursday at Pagosa Springs Golf Club. The 5-over-par score was good for first place, and Barnhardt also helped lead the Demons to a first-place finish as a team.
“Cameron has really played well, and I really like what he has going on,” DHS head coach Kirk Rawles said. “Being the medalist I think is a big confidence boost for him.”
DHS combined to shoot 234 as a team, beating second-place Montezuma-Cortez by five shots. Monte Vista was third with a 269, Alamosa fourth at 278, and Pagosa Springs fifth at 291.
Cory Gillespie backed up Barnhardt’s 76 with a 77, good for a tie for second place. Erik Walker recorded an 81, Daniel McElwain shot an 83, and Cy Spicer signed for an 86.
“Cory has been pretty consistent all year so far,” Rawles said. “Erik found some things (Thursday) we can work off, and I really like where we are right now.”
Barnhardt recorded an eagle on one of the par-5 holes to help make up for one shot out of bounds.
“It is a tricky course. (Barnhardt) had a couple of putts that could’ve brought him closer to par, too,” Rawles said.
Making the day even better for Rawles was the play of the junior varsity players. DHS was able to field two separate JV squads, and they would have finished in third and fourth place if their scores would have counted in the varsity scores.
“They were a real bright spot; the future looks bright in regards to the guys playing on JV right now,” Rawles said.
Kyle Pritchard shot an 82, Blake Martin signed for an 84, and Dillon Hoselton also broke 90 by shooting an 87.
“For a freshman like Kyle to come out and fire an 82 on a tricky course, we are really excited about scores like that,” Rawles said.
Lucas Robbins and Nick Roberts both shot a 90, Kobe Szura finished with a 92, Robby Grogan recorded a 97, and Kyle Robinette a 105 for the Demons.
DHS will return to competitive golf Wednesday at Devil’s Thumb Golf Club in Delta. The Demons also will play next Thursday at Cobble Creek Golf Course in Montrose, the first of three tournaments in Montrose before Durango hosts its own two-day tournament at Dalton Ranch and Hillcrest golf clubs.
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