Golf coach sees positives in first match

By MARC DAVID
SPECIAL TO VIEW NEWSPAPERS

It wasn't anything to write home about as far as opening matches go, but Pahrump Valley coach Bob Hopkins was able to see positives as he looked past the first Southern League boys' golf match held March 6, at Palms Golf Course in Mesquite.

"Josh Henry was the only senior we brought with us," Hopkins said. "That put us well behind the other teams. Everyone else has a lot of kids back. I hope we'll get better with every match, and by the zones be competitive."

The Trojans shot 478 in their opener, trailing Virgin Valley (391), Boulder City (397) and Moapa Valley (428). The Bulldogs were impressive with four players breaking 80. Needles, Calif., (436) also participated.

Henry opened with an 11-over-par 83 which wasn't bad for starters but 13 strokes behind medalist Matt Voerding of Boulder City, who was sizzling at 2-under-par. Hopkins isn't looking for a 70 from Henry but he believes Pahrump's top returning golfer is capable of shooting in the upper 70s.

"For a first round, it was OK," Hopkins said. "I think he's capable of shooting better. I'd like to see him be around 77."

Still, Henry was 11 strokes better than any teammate. Garrett Marcotte shot 94. Jason Holley, in his first competitive SL match in two years, shot 95. Kurtis Riley was next at 100 with Alex Grunlien at 105 and freshman Will Bertz at 109.

"Everyone has a jump start on us because they have a lot of kids back," Hopkins said. "But we're still getting 34, 35 kids a night at practice and I'm very pleased with that. That should make us good in the future. Numbers make you good.

"The other coaches were pretty impressed when I told them about our numbers. As long as the golf course (Willow Creek) works with us, I think we'll be able to keep a lot of golfers out. Our ultimate goal is to have a competitive golf team. But my thing is to keep the kids coming out because golf is a lifetime sport."

Pahrump is back in Mesquite next Thursday for another Southern League match, this time at the Casa Blanca Golf Course.

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