Truckee golf wins Nevada 3A state title

The Truckee High golf team capped a stellar regular season with a six-stroke win over Pahrump Valley in the Nevada 3A State Championship in Mesquite, Nev., on Wednesday.

Truckee earned the state title with a combined team score of 834 to Pahrump Valley’s 840 between the two days of competition at The Palms Golf Course.

Lowry finished third at 854, followed by Faith Lutheran (872) and Yerington (903).

Individually, junior Daniel Gelso shot an 80 both days to lead the Wolverines with a 160, which also was good enough for the fifth-lowest score of the tournament.

Truckee junior Will Collin shot an 87 and 80 for a 167, Ethan Harmon an 85 and 83 (168), Matt Hardy 86 and 83 ((169), Bryce Poulin 93 and 79 (172) and Pat Galvin 91 and 85 (176).

Fernley’s Brandon Dalton won the individual title by one stroke over Vinnie Arrighi of Yerington. Dalton posted a 74 both days for a 148, and Arrighi a 77 and 72 for a 149.

Scores across the board were higher on Day 1, as sustained winds of 25 mph and gusts to 40 mph made for challenging conditions.

“The wind was as tough as I’ve ever seen,” said Truckee head coach Jeff Froelich, whose team played in a number of windy tournaments during the regular season. “It was a testament to our players’ creativity to come in with scores in the 80s.”

Froelich said from the elevated tees, wind gusts would sometimes blow balls 75 to 100 yards on a drive. And putting was always an adventure.

“You calculate and adjust,” the coach said. “It’s one of the things that makes golf so interesting and difficult.”

Gelso seems to thrive on difficult conditions, Froelich said, as the junior’s 80 was the fourth-lowest score on Day 1. While Harmon and Collin each scored in the mid-80s, Froelich was particularly impressed with Hardy posting a 39 on the back nine after struggling with a 47 on the front to finish the round at 86.

“Matt’s a tough competitor and dedicated he was not going to let the golf course winds or pressure get the best of him,” Froelich said. “It’s that kind of perseverance and commitment to the team that makes state champions.

“I was very proud of Matt and our entire team on that first day.”

Poulin rebounded well after a rough first day, scoring an uncharacteristic 93.

“I knew that Bryce would not settle for that score and we would hear from him on Day 2. He did not let us down,” Froelich said.

Lowry and Truckee were knotted up atop the tournament standings after Day 1, each posting a 429, while Pahrump Valley was seven strokes behind at 436.

Pahrump Valley came on strong on Day 2, however, posting a 404 to lead the field and move past Lowry, which shot a 425. The Wolverines posted a 405 on the second day.

Although the future of Truckee golf is bright, Froelich said the graduating seniors will be greatly missed.

“We’re losing two great people and players in Matt Hardy and Pat Galvin to graduation this year,” the coach said. “But the remaining players have assured me that they plan on returning to the state tournament again next year.”

Team scores (two days)

1. Truckee, 834
2. Pahrump Valley, 840
3. Lowry, 854
4. Faith Lutheran, 872
5. Yerington, 903

Individual - Top 5

1. Brandon Dalton, Fernley, 74-74-148; 2. Vinnie Arighi, Yerington, 77-72-149; 3. Joey Dendary, Lowry, 74-77-151; 4. Cameron Belcher, Pahrump Valley, 84-71-155; 5. Daniel Gelso, Truckee, 80-80-160