Boulder City girls eye Class 3A state golf championship

It’s a long bus ride from Boulder City to Spring Creek.

And there’s not exactly a lot of tourist attractions to see on the 440-plus mile trip.

That should give the Eagles’ girls golf team plenty of time to think about what they need to do to achieve a dream.

Boulder City, which won last week’s Class 3A Southern League Tournament, will shoot for the state title at Spring Creek Golf Course. The 36-hole tournament begins Monday and concludes Tuesday.

“Mentally, we have to get prepared,” said Boulder City coach Regina Quintero. “We were well prepared for (the league meet). Now we have to take that extra step and be ready for the state tournament.”

The Eagles easily won the Southern League Tournament, shooting a 389 on Thursday at Boulder City Municipal. Virgin Valley, which finished second at 435, is also headed to state.

“The girls’ swings are pretty much grooved right now,” Quintero said. “Nothing needs to happen swing-wise.”

Margot Potter, a senior, led the Eagles at the league tournament and finished second overall with an 86. Boulder City also should be able to rely on Ashley Vince.

The Eagles didn’t have enough scorers at the league tournament last year to qualify for state. They’ll field a full team of six golfers this week and should have a shot to come home with the title.

“I’ve seen a few scores from the North teams and they started out their season in the low 400s, but in the last few rounds, they’ve brought them down,” Quintero said. “Their scores are getting better, just like ours. It’ll be a good competition.”

Virgin Valley finished second to Pahrump Valley in last year’s state meet. Pahrump Valley moved up to Class 4A. Incline, the third-place finisher last year, finished second in the Class 2A state tournament last week.

The Bulldogs return Felisha Baeza, Hannah Bulloch and Merlin John, who all competed in last year’s state meet. They’re coming off a rough effort in the league tourney, though.

“We just need to enjoy the moment,” said Virgin Valley coach Bubba Smith. “They pressed (at the league meet). When you try in golf, it doesn’t work.”

Faith Lutheran didn’t qualify as a team but will send all four of its golfers to Spring Creek to compete for the individual title.

Ashley Lacher, a sophomore, should be among the contenders for the title. She won the league tournament last week with an 85 and finished 15th in last year’s state meet.

“She has played a practice round up there,” said Faith Lutheran coach Mark Cheney. “She’s going up there with an excellent shot to win.”