Witt shines again for boys golf team

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Kevin MacMillan
BONANZA SPORTS EDITOR, kmacmillan@tahoebonanza.com
March 23, 2008

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For years, the Dayton Valley Golf Course, designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, has been home to a PGA qualifier since 1995.

On Thursday, area Northern 3A athletes, including five from Incline High School, competed at the par-72 course in the second meet of the year.

When it was over, Incline sophomore Sam Witt had an 11-over par 83, good for the second-best individual score of the day.

IHS coach Joe Humasti said he is impressed with Witt's start this season.

"We're really impressed with Sam. We knew he had a lot of talent, but this is his first year really of competitive golf, and he has been very impressive," Humasti said. "To record these scores against this type of competition is impressive. If he works hard, he's going to be one of the top players in the league."

Witt led Incline for the second-consecutive meet, as he recorded an 81 at last week's meet at the Golf Club at Fernley.

Also recording scores on Thursday for Incline were a trio of freshmen - Tommy Annese (95), Travis Causey (101) and Patrick Ward (108).

For the second consecutive week, Fernley's Branden Dalton topped all golfers, this week shooting a 76.

Humasti said windy conditions and very fast greens led to the high scores for all golfers.

"It's a tough course to begin with, but with the greens so fast and with very heavy winds, it was really tough," Humasti said.

IHS junior Justin Holets, regarded as the team's leader, competed in Thursday's match after missing last week's. He was disqualified, however, because he was cited for an incorrect scorecard, Humasti said.

"It happens. Even the best players make mistakes," Humasti said. "It's no big deal, but if he wants to qualify for state, he's got his work cut out."

Since a golfer's top five scores count toward a state qualifier, Holets will have to compete and perform well in the final five matches this season.

The boys continue their season at noon on Wednesday, when they compete with the other Northern 3A teams at Wild Creek Golf Club in Sparks.