Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, Sedona Red Rock High School junior Neil Smith emerged from third on the varsity golf ladder to become tournament medalist of the Wrangler Invitational.

“Three seasons ago, he was really just starting to learn how to play and could barely hit a driver,” said Scorpions co-coach Micah Filice. “To see him now, shooting an even-par round in tournament play and finishing as medalist in a multi-round event, it is clear how much hard work he’s put into the sport.”

Smith’s first-round 72 at the Wickenburg Country Club propelled the Scorpions to a shocking 33-stroke tournament victory over Scottsdale Preparatory Academy and 12 other teams.

“To be honest, our team goal was to play on day two [with] the final three teams,” co-coach Dennis Mobley said. “Scottsdale Prep, Blue Ridge and Show Low [high schools] were all ranked ahead of us … yet we not only beat them all but won by 33 strokes.

“I think it shocked all of them as much as it shocked us.”

Mobley, founder of the Scorpions golf program, is sharing coaching duties this season with Filice, who has helped develop Smith and other local junior golfers as a golf pro for the past nine years.

“He is assuming a co-coaching position this year as he prepares himself to eventually become the head high school golf coach,” Mobley said. “This is my 21st season … and I don’t plan on going away. But I do look forward to more of an assistant position in the future.”

Before they started playing for Mobley, in fact, Smith and the other four varsity Scorpions all played in junior golf clinics Filice organized as an assistant golf pro at the Sedona Golf Resort.

“As more of a swing-oriented golf coach, I feel it is my responsibility to give the golfers the kind of instruction they can only receive from a golf professional,” Filice said. “This is not an opportunity shared by many other high school programs in the state, and our record this year has been a testament to that.”

Smith’s 152 at the two-day tournament edged sophomore teammate Seth Farmer by a stroke to win the individual invitational title.

“This weekend’s win at Wickenburg was particularly fulfilling because of the fantastic performances from Seth Farmer, and especially Neil Smith,” Filice said. “To see these young individuals, and their golf swings, grow over the course of many years has been extremely rewarding.”

Senior Keagan Webster, the top golfer on the SRRHS varsity ladder heading into the tournament, finished 10th after a second-round 78.

“As co-coach this season, I have had the opportunity to watch the team mature before my eyes,” Filice said. “With our top three players now able to shoot in the 70s consistently, I feel that Sedona Red Rock should be seen as a serious contender for the state championship.”