Lukas Taggart last qualified for the Nevada High School boy’s golf tournament as a freshman.
It wasn’t for lack of talent, but rather the pandemic cancelling his sophomore season and stalling any chances at a state tournament as a junior.
To finish off his high school career, Taggart will be back in the state tournament but with a regional crown attached to his name.
The Senator senior trailed by two strokes as he stepped onto the tee box of the 15
th hole at Dayton Valley Golf Course Tuesday.
Coming off a pair of bogeys, Taggart went par-par-birdie to take a one stroke lead into the final hole.
Though he found the water on 18, he finished off his second round score of 36-37–73 to win the regional title.
“I definitely think I did do better than yesterday,” said Taggart. “I just sort of hit the ball better and got the shots up and down that I needed too. I kept the ball in play and I didn’t miss as many short putts.”
Taggart was humble in his win, noting that he felt he still had areas to clean up in his game despite battling cold and breezy conditions both days at Dayton Valley Golf Course.
In the end, Taggart’s two-day score of 148 edged out a three-way tie for second place at 149.
“He could’ve given up when he went into the water, had a nice chip and bogeyed, but you don’t give up,” said Carson High head coach Wade Greenlee. “He’s hitting the ball really well. He switched putters, but his putter seemed to be better.”
Taggart will continue playing golf at the Colorado School of Mines next year after
signing in November.
Hawkins adds to state qualifiersThough Carson did not qualify as a team, Tristan Hawkins put together a two-day score of 172 to qualify for next week’s state tournament.
Hawkins was four shots better Tuesday, entering the clubhouse with an 84 after shooting an 88 the day prior.
The Senators were fifth as a team with Galena, Reno and Bishop Manogue taking the team qualifying spot to Las Vegas next week.
Thomas Burchett was one shot off Hawkins’ pace, shooting a 173.
Andrew Kalicki and Spenser Bray ended the season with respective scores of 190 and 220 over the regional tournament.
“We had a chance,” said Greenlee. “I thought they played pretty well. There was a lot of good golf out there. … I was okay with what they did. It’s a tough course. We’re not quite at the level of Galena, Reno and Manogue.”
UP NEXT: Taggart and Hawkins will make the trek down to Las Vegas early next week for the Class 5A boys golf state tournament. The two-day tournament will be held at Coyote Springs Golf Club in Moapa. Tee times will start at 11 a.m. for both days of the state tournament.
Class 5A boys regional top 101. Lukas Taggart, Carson ……………………… 75-73–148
T2. Orlando Coons, Galena …………………….74-75–149
T2. Connor Galvan, Bishop Manogue ………...78-71–149
T2. Klein Garman, Reno …………………………74-75–149
5. Rishi Gupta, Galena ………………………….79-75–154
6. Harrison Hashimoto, Spanish Springs …......81-75–156
T7. Lucas Wayer, BM …………………………...82-75–157
T7. Ryan Cavanaugh, Reno …………………….82-75–157
9. Angelo Bidart, SpSp ………………………….78-82–160
10. Aaron Ramirez, BM ………………….………79-83–162
Class 5A boys team scores- Galena – 637, +61
- Reno – 641, +65
- Bishop Manogue – 642, +66
- Spanish Springs – 660, +84
- Carson – 683, +107
- Reed – 698, +122
Carson High individual scores1. Lukas Taggart – 75-73–148
T16. Tristan Hawkins – 88-84–172
T19. Thomas Burchett – 83-90–173
40. Andrew Kalicki – 97-93–190
43. Spenser Bray – 104-116–220
(Carson High's Thomas Burchett looks at his line for a putt on the 18th green Monday evening at Dayton Valley Golf Course, during the Class 5A boys golf regional tournament. / Carter Eckl)
