Canyon del Oro's boys golf team has found a lot can change in a year's time.
Last season, the Dorados were led by Stanford-bound Chris Meyers – the eventual state champion – and never dropped out of the top three of the Division-II rankings.
Now, CDO finds itself in Division I, playing on different courses and against bigger Phoenix schools. The No. 11 Dorados have yet to crack the top 10 all season, despite clinching a Section I title and automatic berth into the postseason. On top of that, CDO has been shuffling its rotation, consistently changing out the first three players.
“It's been really tough, last year we were spoiled to have such a good team,” sophomore Lance Picton said. “The competition was tough, but this year it's tougher. All the top teams in the state are in Division I.
"It's harder to win, harder to qualify.”
People are also reading…
The Division I state tournament begins Wednesday at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen at 7:45 a.m. (Tee times for Southern Arizona players listed below.)
The Star caught up with the CDO's top three players before heading into state, here's what they had to say:
Jonathan Walters
Year: Sophomore
Individual ranking: No. 31
Started golfing: “Started playing with plastic clubs at 3, and got on a real course when I was four. My father took me out”
Favorite golfer: Ricky Fowler.
Favorite club/shot: “Favorite club would be the putter, I just love the sound the ball makes when it goes in. Its like a click, but a click of joy.”
Favorite course in town: Stone Canyon.
Toughest course in town: “Sewailo. New grass and the rough is very thick. A lot of water, desert and blind shots. A lot of thinking for that course.”
Superstitions: “Never use the same ball marker, I use poker chips.”
Pre-match meal: “Chick-fil-A. Eight-count chicken nuggets, a small fry and an Oreo shake.”
Best performance this season: Shot 32, (3-under) at Dell Urich on Sept. 22.
How he's feeling heading into state: “Individually, I feel I've grown to be a better golfer throughout the year, and I feel I'm finally coming into my potential. We're starting to play more consistently heading into state.”
Biggest thing he learned at the state tournament last year: “Don't let your nerves frighten you from what you can do. It's not just the butterflies on the first hole, it's going through 16 holes and still having them. You just have to focus and worry about yourself. It's a challenge, but throughout the year I've learned how to keep my emotions under control and not let the other team see them.”
Trevor Gregoire
Year: Junior
Individual ranking: No. 34
Started golfing: “Started playing golf when I was 5; dad works in a golf shop.”
Favorite golfer: Rory McIlroy
Favorite club/shot: “I kind of like the driver because you can just try to hit it as hard as you can sometimes. You can't really do that with other clubs.”
Favorite course in town: “Oro Valley Country Club or the Tucson Country Club”
Toughest course in town: “The Ritz, because of the desert all over, you can't miss it.”
Superstitions: “I don't have anything lucky really.”
Pre-match meal: “No pre-match meal.”
Best performance this season: Shot a 34, (2-under) at Aguila on Sept. 19.
How he's feeling heading into state: “I'm hoping the team can have a top-three finish. And personally, I'm hoping for a top-10 finish or better.”
Biggest thing he learned at the state tournament last year: “You don't always have to play solid or consistently well, because we came in second and no one but Chris played well. You have a team back there to support you.”
Lance Picton
Year: Sophomore
Individual ranking: No. 47
Started golfing: “When I was 5 years old, my dad brought the game up to me.”
Favorite golfer: “Chris Meyers doesn't play on the tour yet, but he's a big role model for me.”
Favorite course in town: The Oro Valley Country Club.
The toughest course in town: Ritz Carlton, the desert and conditions are tough.”
Favorite club/shot: “Waiting for that shot to come.”
Superstitions: “I started with a trainer this year for my body. I recognized the night before, if I work out really hard, I play really well then next day.”
Pre-match meal: “If my mom packs me a special snack. I like an extra roast beef sandwich; I like it on a tortilla, like a wrap.”
Best performance this season: Shot 35, (1-under) at Del Lago on Oct. 15.
How he's feeling heading into state: “This year I'm a little more nervous. I know my game is much better, but as a team, it'll be difficult to place at state. I think we have a good chance but have to work hard at it.”
Biggest thing he learned at the state tournament last year: “Enjoying the moment, because there are only four years that I get to play in a state tournament. And every year is one less year, it's really just perseverance. If the shots aren't working, keep working at it. There are tons of other holes you can do well on.”
STATE GOLF
Division I boys
Wednesday and Thursday at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen
First-round tee times for Southern Arizona players – Trevor Gregoire, Canyon del Oro, 7:45 a.m.; Johnathan Walters, Canyon del Oro 7:53 a.m.; Jack "Lance" Picton, Canyon del Oro 8:01 a.m.; Chandler Garcia 8:09 a.m.; Jack Call, Canyon del Oro, 8:17 a.m.; Andy Hunter, Ironwood Ridge, 8:25 a.m.; Dallan Graybill, Rincon/University, 8:25 a.m.; Sam Attansio, Ironwood Ridge, 8:33 a.m.; Cooper Bradford, Rincon/University, 8:33 a.m.; Nate Benjamin, Ironwood Ridge, 8:41 a.m.; Ryan Draper, Rincon/University, 8:41 a.m.; Forrest Green, Rincon/University, 8:49 a.m.; Connor Wierman, Ironwood Ridge 8:49 a.m.; Adrian Grijalva, Ironwood Ridge, 8:57 a.m.; Brian Guerrero, Rincon/University, 8:57 a.m.; Briggs Duce, Sierra Vista Buena, 9:05 a.m.
