GERING, NEBRASKA – The Bulldog golfers started out the week with the Casper Invite being cancelled on Monday due to weather, the team’s third cancellation of the year.  On Wednesday the weather took a turn for the better, so the boys squad was able to compete in Gering, Nebraska at Monument Shadows Golf Course. The boys squad came out victorious as a team by firing a team score of 307, beating Scottsbluff and Cheyenne Central by four shots.
Individually, Tate Nichols and Brecken Sandlian both shot a 71 which was good for one under, and a tie for first. Nichols ultimately took first with a scorecard playoff. The Wheatland duo had a four-shot win over the second-place finisher Nash Coleman from Cheyenne East.
Dlan Nelson shot an 80 which was good for 15th place, Ace Keil 85 for 27th place, and Fletcher McKee a 92 for 38th. In Nebraska, the girls season takes place in the fall, so Wheatland’s lone girls’ team member did not get a chance to compete.
“We were really hoping to compete in Casper, but the spring season is so unpredictable. We would have gotten most of the round in, but inevitably the storms would have foiled the round,” Coach Tony Nichols said. “Gering turned out to be a great venue once again. This was the second consecutive year we have been invited to Gering in the spring, and we are truly lucky to be a part of such a great tournament. The course was in immaculate shape, even this early in the year.  Brecken and Tate had a classic battle all the way to the end.  Brecken made a spectacular up and down on the last hole to remain at one under, while Tate birdied three of his last four holes to match Brecken at one under. Brecken made about a 20-foot downhill putt on the last hole, while Tate made a 20-foot massive breaker that barely fell in the side of the hole.
“Watching two teammates that have the utmost respect for each other battle it out trying to win a golf tournament is why we were state champions last fall. I was so proud of Brecken for shooting his second career under par round because there are only a handful of players in the state that could have accomplished that feat on that golf course. Overall, it was great to see our boys back in the winner’s circle after back-to-back second place finishes.”