<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0iICXl_0vmabxGe00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0iICXl_0vmabxGe00" width="2048" height="1836" ></figure>It’s hard to believe this is only Sam Casey’s second year as a competitive golfer. The Vail Christian senior shot a 2-under 70 to win the Eagle Valley Invitational on Monday at Gypsum Creek Golf Course, leading the Saints to the team title as well.“It was definitely good to get one as a team,” said Casey, who came into the tournament with a <a href="https://www.vaildaily.com/news/the-battle-mountain-boys-golf-team-is-off-to-a-hot-start-in-2024/">third</a> and <a href="https://www.vaildaily.com/sports/eagle-valley-golfer-shoots-a-71-to-win-moffat-county-invitational/">second</a>-place finish to his name already this season. “I was happy to finally put it all together.” Battle Mountain’s William Morrison (78) finished second and fellow Husky Reed Jennings (79) tied with Vail Christian’s Eli Adams and Wyatt Hansen, Basalt’s Elijah Kelley and Gunnison’s Preston Pike for third. The Saints tallied 228 points to win the 16-team tournament by 10 strokes.“I think that was the best we’ve played collectively as a team,” said Casey, who was introduced to the game of golf when he was 10 but didn’t get serious until his junior year. He said he played about 50-60 rounds each of the last two summers. “I was addicted and quit soccer for golf and have loved every second of it,” he said.While Casey struggled with his putter at the Vail Mountain Invitational earlier this month, his short game was his strength on Monday.“I put a ton of work into it and it all paid off,” he said. “I couldn’t miss a putt.”Casey’s round got off to a rocky start, though. He bogeyed his first hole, the 178-yard, par-3 12th after hitting his tee shot wide right. “I know the course and I know that’s a very annoying par 3,” he said. “I knew that was a bogey hole from the start, so I just had to move on.” Casey did exactly that, going par-birdie-birdie-par-par on his next five holes. On the back nine, he made two birdies and seven pars for a 34, drilling multiple 10-foot putts in the process. On the final hole, he connected on a 25-foot uphill putt to finish with his second-best score ever. “I was feeling it for sure,” Casey said. “I felt confident over the ball. It was definitely a great day for the flat stick.”Casey earned the praise of opposing coaches as well.“Sam is an incredible kid,” Battle Mountain head coach Chris Hoevel commented. “Our players know Sam pretty well personally and it is always a joy to see him succeed and play well.”Hoevel was also pleased to see two of his players in the top three. The highlight reel of the afternoon was Jennings’ chip-in birdie on the par-3 17th hole.“Reed has learned how to start rounds more stable which will suit him well going into next week’s regional,” the coach said of the freshman. On the other end of the age spectrum, senior Keelan Losa had two birdies on the front nine and finished in the top-10 with an 81.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Rq7SQ_0vmabxGe00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Rq7SQ_0vmabxGe00" width="960" height="1280" ><figcaption>The Battle Mountain golf team poses together after finishing second as a team at the Eagle Valley Invitational on Tuesday.</figcaption></figure>“He was very solid off the tee today, keeping almost everything in play, which for him leads to good scores because of solid putting,” Hoevel said. Wake Youngblood offered another pleasant surprise with his 83. Hoevel said the junior is looking to be one of the team’s regional contenders next year.“We have really liked seeing Wake improve this year,” the coach said.Hudson Rozga shot an 81 to lead Eagle Valley to a sixth-place team finish at the Devils’ home invite. Ben Vito and Lawsom Rumley rounded out the scoring with a pair of 86s.Porter Huff was the lone Vail Mountain School athlete to crack the top-10. The junior birdied the par-5 fourth hole and shot a 39 on the back nine to finish with an 81 as the Gore Rangers finished in 10th as a squad.Battle Mountain and Eagle Valley will compete at the 3A Region 4 tournament on Sept. 30 at Snowmass Club in Aspen. Vail Christian and Vail Mountain School will be at Devil’s Thumb Golf Club on the same day for the 2A Region 4 tournament. Vail Christian <a href="https://www.vaildaily.com/news/vail-mountain-school-places-second-at-3a-region-4-tournament-to-qualify-for-state/">finished fourth — just three strokes from qualifying — at the 3A Region 4 tournament</a> last year, which was also held at Devil’s Thumb. “It’s a tough one,” Casey said of the course. “It’s like you’re playing on Mars. There’s some crazy holes out there.”Casey placed <a href="https://chsaanow.com/news/2023/10/3/3a-boys-golf-state-championships.aspx">27th at state individually</a> last year. “I’m definitely hoping to make a run at it this year,” he said, adding that it would be nice to have some company at The Club at Rolling Hills on Oct. 7-8.“If we can make it as a team, that’s obviously ideal. I think if we’re all on, have a good practice round and play well the next day, I think we can do it,” he said. “We definitely have some high hopes.” </div></body>

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Vail Christian golf claims individual and team wins at Eagle Valley Invitational

It’s hard to believe this is only Sam Casey’s second year as a competitive golfer. The Vail Christian senior shot a 2-under 70 to win the Eagle Valley Invitational on Monday at Gypsum Creek Golf Course, leading the Saints to the team title as well. “It was definitely...

Vail Christian golf claims individual and team wins at Eagle Valley Invitational

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