The 5A North regional boys golf championship never disappoints and this year was no different. As Bishop Manogue’s Luke Swanson, who drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole, secured his third straight regional title.
After weather forced several golfers to finish their first round of play on Tuesday morning, the lead group narrowed down to a three horse race. Reed’s Tyson Simmons, McQueen’s Zach Petersen and Swanson.
Just like a year ago, the two best friends, Petersen and Swanson, were neck and neck in the final holes. Tied on the 17th, Swanson hit a chip in for par to keep it even heading into the final hole. On the 18th hole, Swanson with a chance at birdie, hit a10-foot putt, as Petersen bogeys on the last hole. Swanson would finish -3 from par in the tournament as Petersen falls short by one stroke at -2 and finishing second in consecutive regional championships.
Meanwhile, this is Swanson’s third regional title in as many years at Manogue. The junior won his freshman and sophomore year, including edging out Petersen in a playoff a year ago.
“Me and Zach, we were close with each other most of the day,” Swanson said. “I was probably the most focused on this tournament. After winning it the last two years, I wanted to keep it going within myself. I had goals with that, Coming into today, I was really focused on what I needed to do. I was a couple strokes off, I didn’t know exactly where Zach was going to finish, because he had to come in early. I knew I was going to probably be chasing a of couple strokes. I was able to catch those back early and get myself back in the tournament.”
“They were tied going into the last hole, I eventually found out,” Manogue boys golf head coach Griffin Cooper said. “That 10-12 footer that he drained to win, was a super cool moment and you saw the passion. The kid’s good, man. I mean, he’s really good.
Bishop Manogue also took home the team regional championship under first-year head coach Griffin Cooper, despite being down 11 strokes heading into day two.
“We have a good group of guys,” Cooper said. “Guys that want to win for themselves, for the team, and shoot good scores with all the weather changes, my first year. I’m looking forward to having all these guys back next year.”
Manogue will join Reed and Reno as the three teams representing the 5A North at the state championships. Plus, six other individuals qualified for state including McQueen’s Zach Petersen, Spanish Spring’s Carson Backlund and Mason Roggensack, Galena’s Luke Novotak and Shane Scott, and Douglas’ Mason Peck. State championships take place next week on Tuesday and Wednesday from Boulder Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.