The Spanish Springs boys golf team turned in its highest scoring round of the year, but it was still good enough to easily secure its second straight 4A Northern Region boys golf championship.



The Cougars shot a 404 on Day 2 of the tournament at Genoa Lakes Golf Club's Lakes Course — only the second time they have failed to break under 400 this year. In mid-March, Spanish Springs shot a 401 in the first High Desert League tourney of the year.

But with 50 mile-per hour wind gusts Tuesday, many of the scores were inflated.

“The conditions were intense to say the least,” SSHS coach Victor Sherbondy said. “It was not even real golf at times ... If you looked across the board, basically all the scores were higher. I even saw a kid shoot a 134 today.”

Luckily, the Cougars have gotten used to tough conditions this year and took it in stride.

Junior Ren Wilson repeated as the Northern Player of the Year after coming from behind to take the lead from teammate Zach Beebe and win back-to-back individual crowns.

Wilson carded a 79 Tuesday for a two-day total of 152. Beebe finished the day with an 81 and a total of 153. Scott Kelly shot a team-best 77 Tuesday for a 154 total, giving Spanish Springs the top three placers, a year after the local school took four of the top five spots.

After the Cougars claimed a 26-stroke lead through the first 18 holes of the tournament, the battle was on for second place and the final berth for next week's state tournament at TPC Canyons in Las Vegas.

After the first round, five teams were within four strokes of each other for second place. Galena followed up its 408 with a 410 to finish nine strokes ahead of Manogue and 10 ahead of Carson. Douglas fell from a tie with the Grizzlies for second and took fifth with an 842 total.

However, the Tigers did qualify the top individual. The top five individuals from non-qualifying schools also earn a trip to Vegas.

Thomas Wicker of Douglas finished with a 155, which was good enough for fourth place overall and was the first qualifier from a non-qualifying school. Also going to state are South Tahoe's Kyle Mazzoni, Bishop Manogue's Donald Carano, Wooster's Bobby McCracken, Elko's Ryan Blair and Chris Moore. The two Indians tied for the fifth and final spot.

Freshman Jake Nelson of Reed moved all the way from 20th to 11th place after shooting an 81 and 79. The 160 total left him one shot from qualifying for state.