TORRINGTON – The Bulldog boys golf team continued their winning ways in Torrington, assisted in their scoring by Isaac Cdebeca, a Guernsey-Sunrise senior. The Cottonwood Golf Course is one of the best golf courses in the area and is a true test for any golfer because of its tree-lined fairways. But that fact did not stop the boys’ team from winning their fourth tournament in as many weeks, plus having six combined boys and girls placing in the top ten.
The boys not only won the tournament, but they continued their trend of breaking team and individual records in the process. Sophomores Tate Nichols and Jacob Miller scorched the course on day one by shooting a pair of 68’s (-4) and finishing in a tie for first. Teammate Brecken Sandlian found himself in a tie for third after shooting a solid round of 73 (+1), and Dylan Nelson rounded out the team score by shooting 75 (+3) and ended the day in a tie for second place. Isaac Cdebeca posted quality scores of 88 and 86 for a two-day total of 174. These amazing scores helped the boys shoot a team score of 284 which broke the one-day record they set in week two by ten shots.
On day two the boys shot a 302, sealing a win for their fourth tournament in a row. The Bulldogs’ two-day total of 586 also broke the two-day record. Tate Nichols shot an eye popping 64 (-8) and finished at 12 under to win the tournament by 13 shots. The 64 also tied the Cottonwood course record. Nichols’ round of 64 broke his old school record of 65 and his two-day total of 132 broke his old record of 137. Jacob Miller played well on day two as well by shooting 77 (+5) and finished the tourney at one over to give him lone second place. Sandlian shot 81 which gave him a two-day total of 154 and an eighth-place finish. Nelson placed ninth after shooting 80 and finishing with a two-day total of 155.
“This season so far has been a spectacle to say the least,” coach Tony Nichols said. “The jaw-dropping scores these boys are turning in are a testament to all the hard work they have put in. I don’t know what the state record for a one-day score is, but I figure that 284 they shot has to be up there. For that to happen the boys had an individual scoring average of 71, which is -4 as a team. Tate and Jacob shooting a pair of 68’s on day one was unbelievable. We all know Jacob has the ability to go really low, so for him to finally break through and fire a round in the 60’s was really special. Tate has been hitting the ball so well this year and making very few mistakes, so it was only a matter of time before he went out and shot sub 65. Brecken’s 73 on day one was also amazing considering he had a triple and double bogey.”
“The individual and team confidence is at an all-time high heading into regionals and state which is right where we want it to be. Our coaching staff has the belief that any player in our starting lineup can go out and do something special every time they step on the course,” Nichols concluded.