If there were a money list attached to the state golf tournament, Greeley Central’s Nick Umholtz already would have broken the bank.
After winning the Class 4A state tournament as a freshman, Umholtz has finished sixth and third the past two years and hopes his senior season ends with a championship — individually and for his Wildcats.
“It’s the No. 1 goal on the list, just to make sure I get the job done,” said Umholtz, who carries a 3.7 grade-point average. “Our slogan is ‘Finish It.’ We’ve had our chance the last few years, just couldn’t get it done.”
It’s hard to believe a state champion could get any better, but Umholtz had made strides since his freshman campaign. He sees his course management, ball striking and overall mental approach to the game as his biggest improvements. Longtime Central coach John Johnson knows exactly where Umholtz makes his hay.
“He’s just got a pure putting stroke, one I try to emulate myself,” Johnson said. “He’s got a soft touch around the greens and can get up and down from 10-12 feet as good as anybody.”
Greeley Central should be the favorite at the 4A state tournament. Umholtz is joined by senior Parker Edens and junior Michael Lee. The Wildcats will no longer have to worry about defending 4A champion Kent Denver. The Sun Devils will play in golf’s newly created Class 3A, where they will be the heavy favorites to win a state title.
“We have a lot of guys that are very good players,” Kent coach Bob Austin said. “We have an advantage in that we are deeper than a lot of the other 3A teams.”
Fairview’s Brennan Dolan finished a shot back of Pomona’s Zakhai Brown in the 5A tournament last year in Fort Collins and is one of three golfers back to help Fairview try to repeat its team title this season.
Hot on the heels of Fairview is a host of teams. Douglas County, Dakota Ridge, Regis, Arapahoe and Cherry Creek will all make a run at the Knights at the state tournament.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
Top teams
Class 5A
1. Fairview; 2. Douglas County; 3. Regis
Class 4A
1. Greeley Central; 2. Pueblo Centennial; 3. Cheyenne Mountain
Class 3A
1. Kent Denver; 2. Holy Family; 3. Colo. Academy
Top players
(All classifications)
Nick Allen, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; Wyndham Clark, Valor Christian, So.; Brennan Dolan, Fairview, Sr.; Calvin Dorsey, Kent Denver, Fr.; Parker Edens, Greeley Central, Sr.; Bryan Fickle, Douglas County, So.; Brian Grubbs, Montezuma-Cortez, So.; Cody Kent, Douglas County, Jr.; Kenny Medina, Pueblo Centennial, Sr.; Cody Miller, Kiowa, Sr.; Steven Moore, Arapahoe, Sr.; David Oraee, Greeley West, So.; Michael Reitz, Denver Christian, Sr.; Will Roth, Holy Family, Sr.; Will Sherman, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Nick Umholtz, Greeley Central, Sr.
Postseason
Regionals: completed by Sept. 26
State tournaments: Oct. 6-7; 5A at Eisenhower Golf Course, Air Force Academy; 4A at Yampa Valley GC, Craig; 3A at Spring Valley Ranch GC, Elizabeth
