Golf: MP boys finish fourth, DV sixth at state.

While Chandler Hamilton continues to build a dynasty in boys golf, Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista are staring to think they belong in that class.

The Huskies shot a 575 to win their fourth consecutive 5A-I boys golf championship Thursday afternoon at the Aguila golf course in Laveen.

Long-time state powerhouses Tucson Salpointe and Mesa Red Mountain were second and third respectively, but Mountain Pointe made a second day run to close out in fourth place with a two-day total of 601.

It was the best finish for the Pride since 2001 when they were third. During a couple of those years in between Mountain Pointe didn't even qualify for the state tournament.

Desert Vista usually comes on strong at the end and looked like it could be the dark horse of the tournament.

The Thunder was sitting third behind Salpointe by three strokes (300-303) after the first day but shot a 310 on Thursday and slipped to sixth. That was two spots and 18 shots better than last season when the Thunder tied with Salpointe for eighth place.

"Our goal was to make the top five and we came close," Desert Vista coach Peter Moody said. "The last two weeks we showed our potential and our youth. We were leading the (super) regional after day one against some teams that are more talent. But we showed we can play with them and we grew up a lot."

Desert Vista senior Kevin Witte shot a one-over 70-75-145 and Moody said that may be the best boys individual finish in the school's history.

"Potentially we could have 11 guys back next year, including freshman Ryan Witte, who made the Varsity squad this year." Moody said. "They're all growing up together. We got to play in the final group for the first time and got to see what it takes to win championships."

Mountain Pointe made a strong run late in the season winning the Tempe city tournament then placing second overall in the 5A-I super regional.

"We put it together last week for two days and were right there with Hamilton," Mountain Pointe coach Tony Ramseyer said. "I think then the kids figured out this is a game of consistency and that we need two good days."

After shooting a 308 that put them seventh after the first day the Pride carded a 296 on Thursday to jump three spots.

"We were hoping for a top-five (finish)," Ramseyer said, "but I think if we put together two days like we did last week we could have been as high as second. Even though we had two good scores we still didn't shoot our best so I think the best is yet to some and I think that Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista will continue to be here for the next four or five years."

Mountain Pointe senior Colton Tuttle rebounded from a 76 the first day to go five under with a 67 on Thursday.

"It was good to go out on a note like that," Tuttle said. "I was making the shots I needed to make."
Larry Ward can be reached at (480) 898-7915 or at lward@aztrib.com.

Kevin Witte Desert Vista Golf Team Leader

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Desert Vista senior Kevin Witte chips onto the 18th green in the state 5A-I boys golf championship Thursday afternoon at the Aguila golf course in Laveen. Witte finished with a two-day one over par 145 to lead the sixth-place Thunder. more...1 2 3 Next