Currie leads Bulldogs to district golf championship
<p>Pictured from left to right are Dylan Dufenhorst, Jared Presnell, David Currie, Damien Fitzpatrick and Max Toenjes, holding the first district golf championship trophy since 2007. (Courtesy photo)</p>
SANDPOINT — Led by the steady and rock solid play of senior David Currie, the Bulldog boys golf team pulled off an upset by beating rival Lakeland by 11 strokes to win the 4A Region 1 golf championship on Tuesday at the Elks Golf Course in Sandpoint.
Currie blazed the Elks to the tune of a 74, and would have earned a berth to state even if the Bulldogs hadn’t won as a team. Freshman Max Toenjes shot his fourth consecutive round in the 70’s, carding a 79 to help the Bulldogs beat the Hawks for the first time all season, earning the team berth to state for the first time since 2007.
“It was unbelievable. They’ve (Hawks) beaten us every match, the boys just came together and are peaking at the right time,” said Bulldogs head coach Tom Tharp, lauding the play of Currie. “The key was David, in his second match back from an elbow injury. He kept real calm out there, went into cruise control and took it one shot at a time.”
Derek Bayley led Lakeland with a 73, unable to use his length on a shorter course that emphasizes accuracy over distance. Hayden Nosworthy was DQ’d for signing an incorrect scorecard, but even if his score had been allowed, the Hawks would have still lost by four strokes.
Senior Jared Presnell, who shot an 82, and Currie will lead freshmen Toenjes, Dylan Dufenhorst and Damien Fitzpatrick to state on Monday and Tuesday in Twin Falls.
Haley Rotchford shot a 96 to claim medalist honors and lead the Hawks to the team title. Freshman Nina McDonnell led the Bulldogs with a 126.
BOYS (top team and top three scores to state)
At Elks Golf Course, Par 70 5,708 yards.
MEDALIST — Jake Verlin, Moscow, 72.
TEAM SCORES — 1, Sandpoint, 323. 2, Lakeland, 334. 3, Moscow, 377.
SANDPOINT — David Currie 74 (3rd), Max Toenjes 79, Dylan Dufenhorst 88, Jared Presnell 82, Damien Fitzpatrick 96.
LAKELAND — Derek Bayley 73 (2nd), Preston Roth 86, Andrew Knight 84, Clayton Anderson 91, Hayden Nosworthy DQ.
MOSCOW — Jake Verlin 72 (1st), Kevin Eng 90, Tyler Morrison 111, Hunter Pickard 104.
GIRLS (top team and top three scores to state)
At Elks Golf Course, Par 70 5,456
MEDALIST — Hailey Rotchford, Lakeland, 96.
TEAM SCORES — 1, Lakeland, 446. 2, Moscow, 459. 3, Sandpoint, 569.
SANDPOINT — Nina McDonnell 126, Caroline Hawkins 141, Maddie Albertson 151, Cassie Young 151.
LAKELAND — Siera Tingey 104 (3rd), Megan Cysewski 112, Haley Rotchford 96 (1st), Christine Madore 134, Monica Hrgbee 140.
MOSCOW — Anna Harkins 102 (2nd), Chloe boudreau 127, Kim Sprenger 105, Laurel Gieszelmann 125, Sarah Thorsteinson 148.