The love-hate relationship of the Douglas County Huskies’ boys golf team has never been as dynamic as it is now.
Of this season’s returning players, Derek Fribbs recorded the lowest two-day score at last season’s Class 5A boys state tournament, finishing third, and teammate Cody Kent finished eight places back.
Fribbs and Kent, as cautious friends and friendly rivals, have a legitimate claim to the individual state title, as do Chaparral teammates Branden Barron and Jack Mathis, who finished fourth and fifth at state last season, respectively.
However, these Huskies have added motivation – each other.
“I root for him,” Fribbs said, pausing as if sizing up his next putt, “to get second to me.”
And with that, the 5A and 4A boys golf seasons begin, officially teeing off today.
Last season, Douglas County didn’t qualify the minimum three golfers for a full team at the state championship. This season, thanks in part to a promising freshman class and an out-of-state transfer, the Huskies are looking for an ace.
“There’s a buzz about sports in general at school,” Kent said. “For golf, we figure this is a great year to win it all.”
Kent and Fribbs agree on the goal of a state title. But that’s as far as it goes.
“It wouldn’t matter if they were playing for last and second-to-last as long as they finished in front of the other one,” Douglas County coach Jeff Riley said.
It’s a tough competition. Fribbs won an American Junior Golf Association tournament in Albuquerque in May, shooting a 66 on the first day. Riley called him the strongest mental player to come through the school.
Kent was second at the state meet after the first day, and he figures that that experience and the rivalry with Fribbs give him and the Huskies a shot at titles.
“I’ve already been there and done that,” Kent said of the state tournament. “I had a solid summer and that boosted my confidence. Besides, trying to beat Derek makes me better.”
Douglas County is not the only team with state title plans. After a solid third-place state finish last season, Arapahoe returns veterans Steven Moore and Dalton Becky, as well as clutch-shooter David Holtgrewe.
ThunderRidge, the unprecedented six-time defending 5A state champion, starts the season at No. 5, further motivation for the Grizzlies.
In 4A, defending champion Kent Denver and 2005 champion Greeley Central are the major forces. Kent Denver brings back Matt Schovee, who didn’t shoot higher than 74 last season, and Beau Schoolcraft, who recorded a blistering second-day 63 to tie the Mira Vista course record in U.S. Junior Amateur Sectional play July 2.
“Beau can really go low,” Kent Denver coach Bob Austin said.
Greeley Central returns intact after a third-place state finish. Brandon Tomasovich and Nick Umholtz finished in the top 10, and Parker Edens was in the hunt with Jordan Burgess not far back.
Greeley Central and the Sun Devils play in the same tournament three times this season, which will make the favorites very familiar with the state meet less than two months away.
Boys prep golf
First contest: Today
Regionals: To be completed by Sept. 21.
State tournaments: Oct. 1-2; Class 5A at Collindale Golf Course, Fort Collins; 4A at Broadlands Golf Course, Broomfield.
TOP TEAMS
CLASS 5A: 1. Douglas County; 2. Arapahoe; 3. Chaparral; 4. Cherry Creek; 5. ThunderRidge.
CLASS 4A: 1. Kent Denver; 2. Greeley Central; 3. Peak to Peak; 4. Ralston Valley; 5. Cheyenne Mountain.
TOP GOLFERS TO WATCH:
Nick Allen, Dakota Ridge, So.; Branden Barron, Chaparral, Sr.; Dalton Becky, Arapahoe, Sr.; Parker Edens, Greeley Central, Jr.; Derek Fribbs, Douglas County, Jr.; Josh Hardman, ThunderRidge, Jr.; Cody Kent, Douglas County, So.; Kaleb Mahanes, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Jack Mathis, Chaparral, Sr.; Steven Moore, Arapahoe, Sr.; Beau Schoolcraft, Kent Denver, Sr.; Matt Schovee, Kent Denver, Sr.; Brandon Tomasovich, Greeley Central, Sr.; Nick Umholtz, Greeley Central, Jr.
