The GHS boys golf season came down to a two-day finale in the state championship at the Club at Rolling Hills in Golden on Oct. 7 and 8. After swinging through tricky greens on the first day, three Cowboy players fought back to finish fifth overall as a team.
To cap off the season, Carson Zummach found his groove on the final day to take fifth place out of 84 competitors. The senior led the Cowboys, and finished his varsity career on the podium after posting an 82 and 75.
“State felt like redemption for us because we knew we didn’t play our best at regionals,” said Head Coach Kevin Mickelson. “I was proud of how patiently Carson played today. He took the highs and lows with the same even-keeled approach, and it paid off.”
Despite a disappointing regional performance at Devil’s Thumb Golf Course last week, the Cowboys finally put the pieces together in Golden. It didn’t come easily, however. Faced with the most difficult greens of the season, it took the GHS boys a full nine holes to figure out the speed and undulation.
Zummach struggled initially, posting a double bogey early in the first round. But the senior remained calm, and bounced back on the back-nine to shoot an impressive 82. Senior Preston Pike finished just shy of his teammate, scoring an 86 on the opening day. Junior Paden Davis shot a 92 on his first career round at state.
On Tuesday, the Cowboys returned to the links with an improved feel for the greens. Zummach found his best tempo all season, and posted an astounding 75 on his final day as a Cowboy golfer. His combined score of 157 earned a fifth-place finish, just eight strokes off first place.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my last year,” Zummach said. “My first nine was rough, but I knew I could come back from anything. I figured out my swing and started hitting the ball really well, and just kept it going.”
Pike and Davis penciled in an 83 and 87 on the day, contributing to the Cowboys fifth-place team finish. It was the final outing for Pike as a Cowboy, but Davis will return to the links in 2025, and hopes to lead the next batch of GHS golfers.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
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