Cory Gillespie is used to leading the charge for the Durango High School boys golf team.
The senior has been to the state tournament every year since he joined the varsity team as a freshman, but his streak was in serious doubt Tuesday at the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A Western Regional tournament at Haymaker Golf Club in Steamboat Springs.
Gillespie shot his worst round of the year and wasn’t going to qualify for state unless his team rallied in front of him to win the tournament for a third consecutive season.
The Demons weren’t the favorites, especially on rival Steamboat Springs’ home course. But Durango had a back-nine to remember, with Cameron Barnhardt scoring birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 and Cy Spicer playing 2-under-par his final 13 holes to help get the Demons into a team playoff against the Steamboat Springs Sailors to decided the regional championship.
Playing on the 521-yard, par-5 18th, Gillespie and Spicer made it on the green under regulation and two-putted for birdies, while Spicer and Eric Walker recorded easy pars to beat Steamboat Springs by two strokes in the playoffs to send the entire team, including Gillespie, to the state tournament.
The birdie in the playoff was Gillespie’s only one of the day.
“I saved it for the right time, I guess. I can’t thank the guys enough for carrying me,” said Gillespie, son of Jackie and Tracey Gillespie. “I didn’t play very good; my worst round of the season. But, after eight holes, I heard my teammates were playing good, and I tried to encourage them as much as possible every time I saw them on the course.
“They made a lot of birdies, and I can’t thank them enough. It’s been awhile since a DHS player made it to state four years in a row.”
Barnhardt and Spicer each shot 2-over 74 in regulation to lead the team, while Walker shot a 75, matching his career-best round in competition.
The Demons won the regional title ahead of Steamboat Springs in 2014 on their home course of Hillcrest Golf Club, and it was Barnhardt, Gillespie and Spicer, the regional champ a year ago, who carried Walker, son of Michael and Trina Walker, to state. This year, Walker was happy to return the favor.
“They picked me up last year. We’re all a team, a big family. We help each other no matter who is struggling or who is playing their best,” said Walker, who had three birdies on the back-nine – including 18 – and two on the front. “I kicked myself into gear and said, ‘You gotta help your team.’”
Spicer fought back from a triple-bogey on the 185-yard, par-3 fifth hole before playing the rest of the round at 2 under. On the playoff hole, Spicer just missed his eagle putt inches below the hole and tapped in for birdie.
“I got angry and played even-par golf from there,” Spicer said of his blowup on No. 5. “I was the last one off the course but had 15 minutes before the playoff to calm myself down.”
Barnhardt also played a gritty round, and his birdies on 16 and 17 helped the three scoring players finish the back-nine at 1 under as a team to help force the playoff. He and Gillespie both were members of all three regional championship-winning teams for Durango.
“It’s pretty sweet winning it three times. Cory has helped us a lot through the years, and it was nice to be able to win it so he can come to state with us,” said Barnhardt, son of Beth and Bob Barnhardt. “We were all confident we could win the playoff. We all had good tee shots, and I knew Cory was going to make his birdie to win it.”
Gillespie was frustrated with himself, but when he found out there would be a playoff, he said he quickly forgot about the rest of the day. He shot 16-over 88 in regulation.
“I heard we were going to the playoff, and I forgot about the whole day and went and made a five-foot birdie putt to win it,” Gillespie said. “That felt good.”
Durango needed every shot to hold off Steamboat Springs. Britt Walton fired a 1-under 71 to win as an individual, and his teammate Will Firestone shot 1 over to take second. In the end, though, both the Demons and Sailors finished with 223.
Barnhardt and Spicer tied with Eagle Valley’s Barrett Jones for third, and Spicer took sixth.
“Steamboat is really good, and we went toe-to-toe with those guys with impressive golf on both sides,” DHS head coach Kirk Rawles said. “I’m really happy for these guys, and I told them I’m very doubtful if there have been two regional championship teams with the same four guys in back-to-back years. For them to do that, it is significant.”
Now the Demons will turn their attention to the CHSAA Class 4A state tournament Oct. 5 at Fox Hill Country Club in Longmont.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
