Durango High School junior Zach Griswold had an up-and-down tournament at the Class 4A state golf championships Monday and Tuesday at the Pelican Lakes Golf and Country Club in Windsor.
Griswold started strong and shot a 79 on Day 1 of the tournament. On Day 2, Griswold was only +6 after 12 holes, but struggled getting his putts to fall on the last six holes and finished the day with a +19 round of 91. Griswold ended up tying for 57th at the championships with a two-round score of 170.
“Yesterday was pretty good for him; carding something under 80 at state is pretty solid,” said DHS head coach Kirk Rawles. “Today, he didn’t fare too well. I think he might have run out of steam mentally.”
Griswold sank four birdies Monday to finish with a solid round.
On Tuesday, he birdied holes No. 2 and 3 and was one-under after four holes. Near the end of his round, however, he recorded a pair of triple bogeys and a quad that bumped up his score.
“He putted really well (Monday) and pretty well (Tuesday), except for the end of his round,” Rawles said.
Despite a lightning delay on Monday, the coach said the weather was good for the tournament and the course was in good shape.
The course, however, played a little different on the two days.
“Today was trickier than yesterday because of the pin placements, and the greens were rolling faster,” Rawles said. “I’m sure Zach was disappointed; a few blowup holes derailed him at the end. Hopefully he can learn from it so next time he’s in that position he’ll be able to dig out of the hole.”
Griswold, now a two-time state qualifier, will have another chance next year.
“I think this is a good year to move into his senior year with,” Rawles said.
Four players tied for first at 144, but Bradley Weinmaster of Riverdale Ridge won the title in a tiebreaker.
Cheyenne Mountain won the team title with a 445, followed by Riverdale Ridge (449) and Montrose (454) in third.
With 45 golfers competing for Durango this fall and Hillcrest and Dalton Ranch continuing to support the teams, the coach said it was a successful season for the Demons.
“It’s such a great outlet for so many kids; I’m glad a majority kept coming and having fun,” Rawles said. “A lot of athletes are moving forward in the game of golf.”
At the Class 3A state golf championships at Denver’s Pinehurst Country Club, Montezuma-Cortez senior Thayer Plewe rallied to win the individual crown.
Plewe shot an even-70 on Day 1. On Day 2, he was two strokes back about halfway through the round, but Plewe came alive late. On the last five holes, Plewe went birdie, par, eagle, birdie and birdie to pass his competition with a score of 64 and win the title by five strokes with a -6 total of 134.
As a team, M-CHS placed seventh with a 466, one shot behind Peak to Peak and two behind Aspen. Vail Mountain won the team 3A title with a 445, beating Resurrection Christian by a single stroke.
