Evanston’s boys’ and girls’ golf teams attended the 4A West Conference Championships on Thursday-Friday, May 10-11, in Riverton. Both teams placed third, behind the Casper schools, Kelly Walsh and Natrona County, which took first and second place, respectively, in both divisions.

Braxton Lind and Dominic D’Anzi were named to the all-conference team on the guys’ side, with four Lady Red Devils earning all-conference honors — Kyra Sponenburgh, Lexi Cornell, Lauren Ellingford and Hannah Ellingford.

In addition, Jerry Carroll collected another coaching honor, being named the 4A West Conference Coach of the Year for girls’ golf.

For the girls, the best three scores are combined for the team score, and Evanston was out on top with a six-stroke lead after Thursday’s opening round of 18 holes, with a team score of 260.

“We like our girls to shoot under 100 and we were well below that, on both days,” coach Carroll told the Herald. 

“There are three really good girls’ golf teams in the state. They just all happen to compete in the 4A West.” Carroll added.

On Friday, Lady Red Devil golf notched a 278 for a tournament total of 538. Kelly Walsh led the way with a 36-hole tally of 521, besting runner-up Natrona County by six strokes, which finished with a 527 team score, mirroring the outcome of last fall’s state tournament.

Team depth does play a factor. The Lady Red Devils are a team of six golfers, whereas the Casper schools are comprised of 12 to 16 athletes, not to mention the milder climate, allowing the Casper golfers to get out and play on their four golf courses significantly earlier than their Evanston counterparts.

“Yet, we compete very favorably,” Carroll said. “I have always contended that we need to get more girls out for golf in Evanston.”

Carroll said the Lady Red Devils are actually a more complete and competitive team in the spring than the fall, the more prominent of the two seasons for the sport, due to spring golf’s limited longevity, along with state championship teams and individual medalists being crowned in the fall. Lady Red Devil golf has girls who compete for Red Devil volleyball when the fall season rolls around.

Unlike the Lady Red Devils, the boys’ golf team will not lose athletes to other sports, nor to graduation, as the team is entirely made up of underclassmen.

“We have the potential to be a very good golf team this fall if these young golfers will put in the time to improve their play,” Carroll said.

The top four scores are compiled for a team total in boys’ golf and the benchmark Carroll strives for is a round of 80 or better for his top-four male competitors.

The Red Devils posted team rounds of 348 and 327 for a two-day total of 675, just six strokes back of second-place Natrona County’s aggregate of 669, but well behind the 617 team score of 4A West Conference champion, Kelly Walsh.

As mentioned above, Lind and D’Anzi were named all-conference, but Brady Hurd barely missed out; D’Anzi was the tenth and final postseason selection, but his 167 total was just two shots better than Hurd’s round of 169.

Ironically, the off-season is when Evanston golfers have the most time to hone their skills. Carroll had some end of season encouragement. 

“I told our kids I’d like to see each and every one of them receive three to five golf lessons this summer, not just from me or coach Robinette, but from a professional. Get someone else to look at your golf swing,” Carroll said.

“Scott Ehlers does a phenomenal job and plus we’re so close to the Wasatch Front,” Carrol continued. “I know our kids will be amazed at what a huge difference a few private lessons would make.” 

Carroll said he would like his golfers to play as often as possible this summer and to compete in all the junior tournaments for which they’re able but pointed to one tournament, in particular, he would like to see all his returning players take part in.

“The Wyoming State Amateur will be played on our course, the Purple Sage, this summer,” Carroll said. “That will give our kids something to set their sights on and the benefit from competing against outstanding competition over the course of three days will pay huge dividends.”

As far as receiving his coach of the year award, which he’s won for both the boys’ and girls’ programs on a number of occasions during his 33-year coaching career, Carroll is thankful but takes the honor in stride.

“It’s nice to receive,” he said, “but when you have good kids, then coaches receive good credit. I would just like to thank our players, the parents and everyone who works so hard to ensure the success of our golf programs.”