Union’s Keith Lobis and Mountain View’s Willy Yeh claim individual titles.
RIDGEFIELD — A senior took home one top prize Tuesday at Tri-Mountain Golf Course. A freshman took the other.
Union senior Keith Lobis defended his Class 4A District 4 boys golf championship, recording a 2-under-par total after firing back-to-back 71s in the two-day tournament.
About 90 minutes later, Mountain View freshman Willy Yeh beat two other players in a playoff to claim the Class 3A district title.
The district tournaments determine automatic qualifiers for the state championships in the spring. Other top placers from this event go to bi-district tournaments in the spring, for one more chance to get to state.
Lobis and Yeh, of course, know they get to go straight to state.
“It’s pretty cool. I really, really wanted just to play well, to play my best. I was able to do that for these two days,” Lobis said. “Excited to be able to win this two years in a row. Glad I could end my high school season on a high note.”
Tyler Jones of Skyview finished second, three shots behind Lobis, Dylan Henry and Reece Boyce of Union took third and fourth, respectively. All four qualified directly to state.
“My goal was to win, but to finish this strong, to finish solo second, is one of the greatest things God could have given me,” Jones said.
The Titans, with three of the top four spots, won their eighth consecutive district team title.
“Winning it this year was big because I felt responsible as a senior to do my part in order to win again,” Henry said. “I realized on the first tee this would probably be my last (round) until state in a Titans uniform. I wanted to make sure I played my heart out.”
Lobis, too, is proud of the Union colors.
“Being able to represent my school and win a district title for my school, really, it means everything to me,” he said.
In the 3A tourney, Yeh fired a 4-under-par 68 to rally into a tie for first place with Mountain View teammate Graham Moody and Prairie’s Dante Heitschmidt. Yeh then won with a par on the first playoff hole.
“Being the underdog in this tournament was my big advantage,” Yeh said. “I knew I still had a chance no matter what. Never giving up was the biggest key for me winning.”
With two in the top three, the Thunder claimed the team title.
Yeh was behind after recording a first-round 77. Then came the magical round of 68 on Tuesday.
“I guess it’s a combination of putting and taking advantage of the good shots,” Yeh said. “Just a good game overall.”
The top three 3A golfers qualified directly to state – meaning all three in the playoff will advance.
Yeh is already thinking about the spring.
“I feel more motivated than ever now to keep improving,” Yeh said. “Now that I’ve proven to myself I can do this, it’s important not to look back and just keep pushing forward.”
Class 4A District 4
Boys Golf Tournament
At Tri-Mountain Golf Course
Team champion: Union
Individual champion: Keith Lobis, Union 71-71 — 142
Also qualifying directly to state: Tyler Jones, Skyview 74-71 — 145; Dylan Henry, Union, 74-72 — 146, and Reece Boyce, Union, 72-75 — 147.
Class 3A District 4
Boys Golf Tournament
At Tri-Mountain Golf Course
Team champion: Mountain View
Individual champion: Willy Yeh, Mountain View 77-68 –145 (Won in a playoff)
Also qualifying directly to state: Dante Heitschmidt, Prairie, 75-70 — 145 and Graham Moody, Mountain View 73-72 — 145
