CRAIG — By the time D’Evelyn senior Brenden Beeg had reached the eighth hole Tuesday at Yampa Valley Golf Course, he had pretty much taken all the suspense out of the Class 4A state golf championship.
He not only had made up the four-stroke difference between him and first-day leader Wyndham Clark of Valor Christian, he had built a three-shot lead.
“It definitely helped a lot,” said Beeg, whose 4-under-par 66, coupled with an even-par 70 on Monday, made him the 4A champion by a six-shot margin. “It changed things a bit. I still needed to focus on the back nine, but I kept the focus.”
Clark, who followed up his 66 on Monday with a 76 on Tuesday, finished second with a score of 2-over 142. Andrew McCain of Pueblo Centennial and Ryan Hooks of Evergreen shot 145 to tie for third.
Beeg’s round also helped D’Evelyn win its first state golf championship. D’Evelyn’s two- day score of 439 was seven shots better than runner-up Greeley Central. First-day leader Montrose finished at 453, good enough for third place.
“Last year we won league, then didn’t get into the state tournament,” D’Evelyn assistant coach Jon Arnold said. “These guys were determined and worked hard all summer. They worked on their games. They were focused. We didn’t have to set the goals for them.”
It all started with Beeg.
The senior quickly made up his four-stroke deficit, tying Clark after two holes.
Clark took a triple bogey on No. 2 when he needed to punch out after his drive came to rest behind a tree, and then three-putted. Beeg birdied the hole for a four-shot swing.
Beeg took command with birdies on holes 6, 7 and 9, while Clark had bogeys on 4 and 9.
“This feels great,” Beeg said. “I’ve been dreaming about this since I was 5 years old. It’s a dream come true. To do it with the team is even better.”
