By Brian Bergner Jr.
Larson Newspapers
The Sedona Red Rock High golf team looked better than ever on Monday, April 20, as they traveled to Prescott and played under the hot sun at Antelope Hills Golf Course, defeating two other opponents for a victory.
Sedona put together some of its best golf this season shooting a team stroke score of 338 to defeat Chino Valley High [370] and Maricopa High [414].
“I’m excited to see how well we’ve been doing late in the season,” Sedona longtime head coach Dennis Mobley said.
With the win Sedona’s record improves to
15-7-1 overall on the season, and the team is now 8-2 in 3A-West region action.
Senior Stadler Ho led the way for the Scorpions who shot a season high 78 [+6] to lead all golfers on Monday.
Rob Helmkamp was right behind his teammate with an 81 [+9] and sophomore Scotty Thompson was third with an 87 [+15].
Daniel Stromme finished in fourth after a few unfortunate breaks on certain holes to shoot a 92 [+20] and senior Jon Ty Knox finished fifth for the Scorpions with a 95 [+23].
“Those five players have been fairly consistent this season, but we finally broke into the 330s as a team so each player is improving,” Mobley said.
Mobley reckons back to April 9 when Sedona had its best score of the season with a 329 to defeat Wickenburg High’s 333 at the Oak Creek Country Club.
On that day, Ho shot a 78 as well and the rest of the team followed his lead.
On April 16, Sedona played tough as Knox had an 81, Stromme scored an 82, Ho putted for an 83, Thompson shot an 85 and Helmkamp rebounded for an 88 as they got the best of Phoenix Christian Academy, Camp Verde High and Estrella Foothills High at the OCC.
“Since that time we’ve been play-ing very strong. I have to admit I’m surprised,” Mobley said.
The Scorpions are playing well at the right time with only a few matches to go before regionals and the 3A state tournament comes about.
Sedona traveled to Wickenburg on Thursday, April 23, but results were not available at press time.
Next up the Scorpions will travel to Williams and play at Elephant Rock Golf Course, one of the best courses in the state of Arizona.
“We always like to save that one for last because sometimes in the past it would snow us out and we couldn’t play. We always look forward to playing there; it’s a wonderful course,” Mobley said.
Tee time at Elephant Rock is for 1:03 p.m.
Once the Williams trip is complete, Sedona will have a few days to rest up and straighten out any kinks in its golf game as the 3A-West regional meet is scheduled for Monday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 5.
Mobley believes as well as his team is playing right now, they have an outside shot of taking the regional championship.
If Sedona can get enough breaks and Ho and Helmkamp are on top of their game, don’t put it past the Scorpions to go out and claim a regional title.
After the regional meet, the 3A state tournament will begin on Monday, May 11, and go through Tuesday, May 12.
Look for Sedona to have a few players in the mix for a state tournament bid, especially since they are playing so well down the stretch.
“This is our time to show people that we can be a good golf team. I look forward to what is about to come in the next few weeks,” Mobley said.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
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