Fossil golf wraps up strong season, prepping for state tournament
Junior Grant Samuelson driving a shot down the course
September 29, 2021
The Fossil Ridge golf team qualified for the state tournament despite a rough regional tournament.
The season started strong for the Sabercats winning the Cherry Creek Invite on August 10, a massive invitational including of the best teams in the state.
Fossil kept the momentum going by winning all three league meets and eventually winning the league championship.
The Sabercats started to struggle, after a rough performance at Regionals and were on the brink of missing the state tournament. Fossil ended tied with Monarch, forcing them into a playoff determining who would head to state.
Fossil’s team of Alex Rodgers, Miles Atkinson, Grant Samuelson, and freshman Austin Barry. Barry put in impressive performances all year, but none more crucial than his fourth place finish in regionals and sinking a putt to win the playoff, helping Fossil qualify for state.
Coaches Andy Stevens and Jamie Menefee were both thrilled with the team and glad the whole team qualified for state.
“…we have a bunch of really good golfers who played a great hole in the playoff. I know they were nervous but we made 4 pars and easily won…it was awesome,” Menefee said.
The Sabercats are rolling into the state tournament with the same four players at regionals, highlighted by freshmen Austin Barry.
Despite being a freshman, Austin Barry has made an instant impact on the golf team and has become a key piece of the team for the present and future.
“He is amazing…we’ve been amazed at not only his talent but how he’s able to control his emotions on the golf course and he’s just a heck of a player…we are very excited to see how he does this year and ecstatic we get to have him for more years,” Menefee said.
Fossil Ridge will play in the state tournament on October 4-5 at the Colorado Springs Country Club, the same place they won their 2018 state title.
“…we feel a little bit of nostalgia and we also feel a bit of a competitive advantage…we’ve had great success at this venue…that might be the difference that gets our team over the top,” Stevens said.
