Thursday, April 23, 1998 | 7:54 a.m.
Last May 23, Ben Auten's life changed forever.
Always one of the top high school golfers in Las Vegas, the Bonanza student was suddenly valuted into the unique position of being considered the very best in town, courtesy of his victory at the two-day 4A state tournament.
"I think it did change things," said Auten, an 18-year-old senior who has signed to play at the University of Arizona next year. "I get a certain amount of respect when I'm on the course. When you win a state title, people feel like you can play a little bit."
From the moment the 1998 season opened, Auten was a marked man, routinely being paired with the Bengals' opponents' top golfer. Yet despite the newfound pressure resting squarely on his head, the defending state champion has continued to shine.
His average for nine holes is 36.8 this season, down from last year and best on a strong Bonanza squad that has 11-2 overall record (8-2 Sunset Division) heading into play today.
And according to first-year Bengals coach Dan Wieser, Auten's even-keeled mental approach to the sport should give him a legitimate chance to repeat come tournament time.
"His mental attitude toward the game is his biggest strength," Wieser said. "He realizes not every shot is going to be perfect. Some kids his age don't understand that. He focuses to well, and he doesn't let anything bother him."
For Auten, staying mentally sharp has been the key to his mastery of the high school golf format, in which team competitions last just nine holes.
"When I was a freshman and sophomore, I had never played a nine-hole tournament," Auten said. "It seemed so abrupt. But I finally figured out how to approach it.
"The nine-hole matches helped me realize you've got to make the most of every shot ," he continued. "If you make a big number early, you put yourself in a hole it's tough to climb out of. So you've got to be patient."
That approach is exactly what helped Auten emerge from a tough field that included former Bengal teammates Billy Harvey and Scott Piercy -- now both collegiate golfers at BYU -- to capture the state trophy last spring.
After finishing the first day with a 68, one stroke behind Harvey, Auten calmly overcame windy, rainy conditions on day two to post a 74 and edge Bishop Gorman's Tyler Mays, who wound up two shots back.
"For about six or seven holes, that was probably the toughest golf I'd ever played," Auten said. "I know I was going to miss some shots, so I just had to be patient."
Now, as the 1998 regular season winds down, Auten is patiently awaiting his chance to try for a repeat title. And while he knows it will probably be even harder this time around, he's gotten used to being the target everyone else is aiming for.
"I love to win, and I want to win state again, but I understand it's not going to be any easier the second time," Auten said. "I'm sure I'll be a little nervous, but nothing's more fun than playing against good competition. And it's always nice to beat somebody when they're gunning for you."
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