| Written by Brian Bergner Jr. | ||
| Friday, 24 February 2012 00:00 | ||
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This year’s Scorpions golf team could compete not only at the varsity level, but it also shows plenty of young promise for the future. For avid Scorpions golf fans, it’s about time.
Scotty Thompson, who was a senior at the time, finished 12th overall with a 153 [+9] stroke score at Antelope Hills Golf Course in Chino Valley. This spring, Sedona will sport five seniors, all of whom are capable of doing some serious damage with the clubs. “This is the most excitement we’ve had around golf in awhile,” longtime Sedona Head Coach Dennis Mobley said. “We have a few seniors who can play and a great group of underclassman to develop for the future.” Top returners include senior Daniel Bunker, who could be the overall No. 1 player for the Scorpions come tee time Monday, Feb. 27, when Sedona opens its spring season at Estrella Golf Club in Goodyear. “I’m very excited for this season. I expect this to be our school’s best season since I’ve been on the team. I look forward to our team hopefully competing at the state championships this year,” Bunker said. Other top returners include seniors Gabe Greenfield and David Lugviel while juniors Brian Swartwout and Francisco Marin also return. Alec Chapman returns for his sophomore season after making a name for himself as a freshman in the spring of 2011. For the girls, junior Haley Davis returns. Top newcomers for the boys include senior Jack Johnson, who passed over baseball to pursue a senior season of golf. Johnson injured his right elbow in the 3A conference state baseball playoffs for Sedona in May 2011. Johnson did play football for the Scorpions this past fall, but elected to forgo baseball this spring and instead chose golf.
“I’m very excited to compete in a new sport. I plan to help out the team as best I can, with the expectations of being the best golf team Sedona has seen in five years,” Johnson said. “We all have been working hard and I plan on having a good time with my friends and golf in general.” Other newcomers include senior Abby Parrella who will pair with Davis for the girls while seven freshman boys have caught the eye of Mobley in the early going. “This is the strongest group of freshmen we’ve had in 10 years,” Mobley said. Freshmen Skylar Richardson, Jasper Herrick, Eddie Parrella, Mike Travagila and Dylan Sadler will play while Savanah Cooper and Lily Davis will help on the girls side. After the Estrella Foothills meet Monday, the Scorpions will get a break before competing against Arizona Lutheran Academy at Bougainvillea Golf Club in Laveen on Tuesday, March 20. Sedona’s first home match is set for Thursday, March 22, when the Scorpions welcome Estrella Foothills, Bagdad and Phoenix Christian high schools to the Oakcreek Country Club. Tee time is set for 12:30 p.m. |



Sedona Red Rock High School had only one golfer qualify for the Division III State Championships in May 2011.