After the Fossil Ridge High School boys’ golf team’s “mixed bag” performance at state, varsity coach Jamie Menefee is looking toward next year.

“I feel really good about next year and the experience that the underclassmen got and that they’ll be able to bring to the team next year,” Menefee said about the team.

Fossil Ridge’s Golf team placed 12th out of 17 teams in the 5A state tournament on Oct. 6-7 after going into the tournament expecting to place higher. The tournament was played at Book Cliff Country Club in Grand Junction. Fossil brought three golfers – senior Landon Houska, junior Jonah Kent, and freshman Judd Nikkel – to the state tournament.

Kent was excited to play in his first-ever state championship tournament.

“The first day…I was just really, really excited to be there, you know, I’ve been trying to get there for the last two years,” said Kent after shooting a 72 the second day, ending in 34th place. 

Nikkel expected to shoot low scores and ended up 50th. 

“I finally got shooting into low numbers and under par at the tournament,” Nikkel said.

He said the tournament was a lot of learning.

“Now that I know what to expect, hopefully I can go out there and play better next time,” said Nikkel.

Kent also is looking forward to leading the team into the next golf season.

“I mean playing for…a team, like that’s such a special thing that I get to do. Golf is such an individualistic sport, and so going to state and having a team there, you’re playing for your other guys,” Kent said.