In the unexpected absence March 8 of his teammate atop the Camp Verde High School golf ladder, senior Vance Tewawina still managed to fire a 40 to pace the Cowboys to victory in its three-team opening match at Verde Santa Fe Golf Club.
“I think this team can still make State, as a team,” head coach Chris Fuller said. “Some kids are going to have to step up and fill the gap.”
The victory March 8 came despite the absence of No. 1 golfer Joel Beauty, who informed head coach Chris Fuller earlier that day he would not be playing for the CVHS golf team his senior year.
“I’m very sad to see him go,” Fuller said. “In a way, it’s shocking because he’s played for three years and he’s an outstanding golfer.
“Seniors want jobs, they want social lives, they want all of these things. He just, ultimately, couldn’t commit to the golf team.”
Tewawina’s four-over-par on the course’s front nine holes outpaced the nearest competitors from Chino Valley and Paradise Honors high schools by a full six strokes as the Cowboys would go on to shoot a 191 with just four players, winning by 18.
“I think it is very important for Vance to make it to the state tournament,” Fuller said of Tewawina, whose brother, Wilfred, is one of the top golfers this spring at Pima Community College. “I think Vance wants to kind of follow in those footsteps, and play at a small college.
“He made State last year. He’s committed to his game, he’s a hard worker [and] plays all year-round.”
Seniors Garrett Kennedy and Andrew Witt finished tied for sixth, while sophomore Colten Cecil was a stroke behind in eighth, at 15-over-par.
“Colten’s playing really well, also,” Fuller said. “His swing’s coming around.”
The Cowboys will have a full team upon their return from spring break, as junior Marissa Presmyk and freshman Colby Hedges have both been battling for the fifth and final spot on the team ladder.
“He has a lot to learn,” Fuller said. “The rules are challenging to kids out on the course who may have not known them before they came out here. But I think he has potential.”
But Beauty’s announcement March 8 came too late for either of them to be ready to fill in.
“Joel’s scores will certainly have an effect on the team,” Fuller said. “I wish Joel the best: He’s a super-smart kid [and] he’s going to have a great future.
“But I’d much rather play with five that are committed, want to stick with it and I know will be here all year long. That’s part of being a coach, sometimes — demanding that your players commit, and if they can’t, then they shouldn’t be here. It’s as simple as that.”
