Led by Ethan Whidden, the Durango High School boys golf team took a team win Wednesday at Black Canyon Golf Course in Montrose.

The Demons’ top-three scores combined to post 21-over-par to finish 15 shots ahead of Aspen and Gunnison. Whidden was one of three players to shoot 5-over-par 75 to tie for first. In an unofficial playoff, he played the par-3 No. 9, which measured 200 yards, against Lucas Less of Aspen and Nathan Smith of Pagosa Springs. Lee made a birdie, Whidden a par and Smith a bogey on the playoff hole.

Whidden played a solid round. He was even par through four holes and made the turn at 3-over. He had one double bogey on the par-4 No. 13, but he answered right back with a birdie on the par-5 No. 14 and played the final four holes at even par to get into the clubhouse with a 75.

“Ethan played well, and Black Canyon played tough as I’ve ever seen it play,” said DHS head coach Kirk Rawles. “The greens and pin positions were a little tougher, and the greens were quicker than normal.

“Ethan, his previous two rounds at Pagosa and Cortez, I think he had 12 penalty strokes over two days and still shot in the 70s. The big thing today was he avoided penalty strokes.”

Also, for DHS, Anthony Flint made his season debut and shot 77. Levi Tichi shot a 79 to round out the team score. Luke Ford came in with an 83, and Sten Joyner shot 84. Luke Tichi also decided to play golf as well as run cross-country, and he shot 86 in his season debut. Levi Larson finished with a 91.

“It was good to have Anthony back, and having three guys shoot in the 70s is a really good sign,” Rawles said. “Luke Ford had a good second nine, and Luke Tichi was back for his first tournament. Once he gets going, he will find his stride in golf and can factor into the mix.”

jlivingston@durangoherald.com