Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Four Steamboat Springs golfers will be trying to extend their season today as they tee off at the regional tournament in Gunnison.

"I'm a senior, so this is it for me," said the Sailors' No. 1 player, Garrett McGinn. "If I want to make it to the state championships this is it."

Steamboat's McGinn will be joined by the Sailors' No. 2 player, Jeff Franks, No. 3 player, Eric Scholl, and No. 4 player, Quinn Coale, at the Dos Rios golf course in Gunnison.

The golfers will need to be one of the top two teams, or among the top 14 individuals to qualify for the state championships, which will be held at the River Valley Ranch in Carbondale Oct. 2-3.

"We know what we need to do if we want to go to state," Franks said. "There isn't any reason that we can't win this one."

Franks was the only Sailor golfer to make it to the state tournament last year. This time around, he is hoping for some company at the end-of-season event.

"I think these guys have a very good chance of winning this tournament," coach Jason Deigert said. "We have four guys capable of playing really well."

While the Sailors haven't won any tournaments this season, the squad has consistently placed in the top three of just about every tournament they have played. This weekend, Western Slope powerhouses Grand Junction and Grand Junction Central will head to a different regional tournament in Durango.

Steamboat is hoping to shine, but the players know it will be a challenge with squads like Montrose and Cedaredge also in the hunt.

The Steamboat golfers agree that a key to doing well at the regional tournament will be the short game. Dos Rios is a very tight course and doesn't play that long.

Scholl added that if Steamboat wants to be successful in the team standings, three or all four of the players on the team will need to record scored in the 70s.

"We've been close this season, but most of the time it's one or two guys carrying the entire team," Scholl said. "We need at least three guys to turn in top scores if we want to win."

The tournament takes place today at the Gunnison course.

To reach John F. Russell call 871-4209 or e-mail jrussell@amigo.net