Driving and putting away, the Fallon boys golf team is locked in a tight battle among the Northern Division I-A leaders.
The Greenwave have had a solid start to the season as Fallon took second at the Hawthorne tournament to open the season. Since then, the Wave have placed in the top five in the past three tournaments including last week’s home match.
“So far we are doing OK,” Fallon coach Rich Evans said.
As for the team standings defending state champ Lowry is on pace to capture another league title. The Buckaroos have amassed 27 points followed by Elko (24), Spring Creek (21) Dayton (16), Fallon (15), South Tahoe (14) Fernley and Truckee (six) and Sparks (four).
“Lowry is rock solid and I don’t see anyone touching them,” Evans said.
Only the top three teams qualify for the state tournament and top five individuals on a nonstate-qualifying team earn a berth to the big dance.
Leading the way for Fallon this season has been the senior trio of Chad and Clint Oney and Jacob Evans. Clint Oney is 19th overall with a 90.3 average. After struggling in the first tournament with a 100, Oney has carded an 83 and 88 in his past two tournaments.
Chad Oney sits in 28th with a 93.7 average after rounds of 91, 88 and 102.
The biggest surprise for coach Rich Evans, though, has been sophomore Corbin Waite. Waite has risen to 29th overall in the Northern DI-A with an average of 94.
He has been below 100 in all three tournaments with a season-low of 92 at Fernley. Evans said Waite has improved drastically to become one of Fallon’s top golfers.
“Out of nowhere, here comes a sophomore and he is golfing very, very well,” Evans said. “He’s really been helping out our team. It’s been a nice surprise.”
Jacob Evans, meanwhile, is in 39th with a 97.3 average and is steadily improving. Jeff Evett (98.7) and Charles Byers (101) are in 43rd and 45th, respectively.
The Wave, however, are on a hiatus for spring break until April 17-18 when the club travels to Winnemucca and Elko, respectively, for their next tournaments. In the meantime, Evans said his players are focused on two areas of needed improvement, course management and their short game.
“Kids love to go out on the mat and see how far they can hit,” Evans said. “Chipping and putting really makes a difference.”