VELMA An eighth-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament provided a disheartening end to a successful season for Velma-Alma boys golf.

With just one senior, Alan Beck, coach Greg Gothard knew that this year might be one of rebuilding.

The Comets snuck through the qualifying with a fifth-place finish, just four strokes better than final-qualifier Mangum. The team hit its stride in regional play, scoring third place with one of its best showings of the year. It gave Gothard a glimpse of the current players potential not only for the state tournament, but for the future as well.

We werent sure we could make it (to state), Gothard said. Were relatively young... For us to make it to the state tournament, I thought it was a big deal for us. I thought they did a great job.

Freshman Tristen Dunn led the Comets with a 26th-place finish after shooting 161 in two rounds on the first day. Sophomore Trever Morrisen was second, finishing 40th.

Beck was third in the standings at 56th, but Gothard said he was the true leader of the team all season. Gothard, who coached Beck in football as well, said that while he is not the most talented player he has ever had, he has always performed consistently well and has been very coachable.

I wish they were all like that, Gothard said. Ill miss him in all the sports. He played four sports this year as he does every year.

Beck also competed in track while he was a member of the golf team. He was a member of the Velma-Alma boys basketball team that made the state tournament this year as well.

Even with his departure, though, Gothard likes the direction the program is heading. He said combined with the talent coming back, there are also a couple of eighth graders that could make a difference on the team next year.

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