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Mazzoni tied for 7th at regionals
May 6, 2008
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By Steve Yingling
Tribune sports editor
There was a bonus to having an early tee time at the Northern 4A regional golf tournament on Monday at Genoa Lakes Resort Course.
The timed sprinklers made the back nine even more challenging for the last seven groups of the first round. They came on late in the day and couldn't be turned off.
"The coaches were turning the sprinklers so the players could hit. It was quite entertaining," said South Tahoe High coach Mike Patterson.
Vikings' senior Kyle Mazzoni took advantage of one of the earliest tee times to shoot a 77, leaving him in a tie for seventh place.
"I played OK on the front. I didn't' play good on the back, though," Mazzoni said. "It was my putting ... the 10-footers."
Kyle Garrett, the only other Viking entered, shot an 88 and is in 44th place.
Mazzoni is trying to join select company by qualifying for next week's state tournament. Only three Vikings have ever qualified for state: Dan D'Angelo, Kenny Craig and Sean Fannan.
"It's been quite a few years. They changed the rule three years ago, and we haven't had anyone qualify," Patterson said.
The top two teams make state, as well as the top-five players who aren't on the qualifying teams.
Spanish Springs has a commanding lead in the team standings after 18 holes. Spanish Springs' five-best players shot a 382, then came Galena and Douglas with 408, Manogue 409, Carson 412, Fallon 412, Reno 429 and Damonte Ranch 445.
The Cougars' Zach Beebe and Ren Wilson lead the field with a 72 and 73, respectively. Douglas' Thomas Wicker is third at 74.
Heading into today's final round, Mazzoni is confident that he can hold his play together - if not improve.
"I'm pretty solid at that course. I think low 70s will do it for me," he said.
Mazzoni shot a 73 during a practice round on Friday.
"If I can play anything like that, I should be fine."
As the host school for Monday's first round, Patterson was pleased that the STHS players who didn't qualify for the tournament generously helped run the event.
"Most of the team came down and helped with the shuttles and with the scoring. It was really good of the kids to give up a day to help us," Patterson said.
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