Prep boys golf: Park City claims fifth straight state title

Park City boys' golf coach George Murphy had a stern message for his squad heading into the final day of the Class 3A tournament, despite the Miners' 16-stroke lead: No one is going to give it to you. You have to take it.

The Miners (603) did just that, withstanding a charge from Union (615) for the state championship at Roosevelt Golf Course.

"It was how I expected," Murphy said. "I told them, 'Union's not going to give you this.' ... I tried to give them confidence, let them know that they've done it all year."

It was the fifth consecutive state title for the Miners, who again proved their dominance in Class 3A despite Union outplaying them for much of the final round.

"Some people were saying [the win] didn't have the same feel as last year. It was a different atmosphere," Murphy said. "Part of it was getting beat by four strokes today. We knew it was really close. It was a little more subdued. Union was really pumped up."

Park City's Justin Shluker (146) matched his first-round 73 to win the individual title by a single stroke for the second straight year.

"It's awesome. I think it's better the second time just because of what our team did," said Shluker, adding that the team's win was more important than his triumph. "Coming back from the wind and everything yesterday, we hung in there."

Shluker had help. The Miners placed four golfers in the Top 10, including freshman Mitch Schow (150), who placed fifth.

"It's a good feeling to know I can compete with some of the best in the state and that as a freshman I can place that well," Schow said.

Union's Dakota Denver (147) shot a 70, the best score of the day, to tie for second, along with teammate Kaden McDonald and Juab's Dalton Jackson.

Pine View (647) finished a distant third, while Spanish Fork (650) and Desert Hills tied for fourth. —

Class 3A team scores

Park City • 303-300—603

Union • 319-296—615

Pine View • 328-319—647

Spanish Fork • 329-322—651

Wasatch • 329-322—651

Desert Hills • 330-324—654

Juan Diego • 335-330—665

Payson • 336-330—666

Snow Canyon • 337-335—672

Ogden • 335-349—684

Class 3A individual top 10

Justin Shluker, Park City • 73-73—146

Kaden McDonald, Union • 76-71—147

Dakota Denver, Union • 77-70—147

Dalton Jackson, Juab • 75-72—147

Mitchell Schow, Park City • 77-73—150

Harry Hanskat, Park City • 76-76—152

Hayden Hayward, Pine View • 78-74—152

Janzen Davis, Uintah • 79-75—154

Jalen Robertws, Park City • 77-78—155

Digger Arnold, Union • 80-75—155

Kade Meason, Spanish Fork • 79-76—155

Caden Henderson, Wasatch • 79-76—155