Columnist Spencer Patterson: Durango, Gorman duel for golf laurels

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2000 | 10:22 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep sports column appears Thursday. Reach him at 259-4085 or by e-mail at spencer@lasvegassun.com

Heading into the 4A State Girls Golf Championship, Durango coach Kathy Faber predicted the event would come down to a battle between the Trailblazers and rival Bishop Gorman.

After one day of the 36-hole event at Genoa Lakes Golf Club, Faber's words couldn't ring more true. Her Durango squad sits in first place with a team score of 397, with the Gaels just seven strokes back with a 404.

The rest of the field likely won't have a chance to catch the leaders, with Galena 39 strokes off the pace and Reno three more behind that. Four-time defending state champion Green Valley is fifth with a 451.

Durango's Whitney Welch holds the individual lead with a three-under 68, with a quartet of golfers three strokes back at 71: Silverado's Monika Lee, Bishop Gorman's Danielle Reilly, Wooster's Aislyn Nelson and Durango's Erin Andrews.

In 3A competition, Boulder City is in fourth place -- 43 strokes behind leader Lowry -- after day one of two at Casa Blanca Resort in Mesquite. The Eagles' Tahnee Harrison is in third place individually, three strokes behind Lowry's Mackenzie Swecker.

The Gators open play in the four-team boys draw against Northern Region champion Galena, while Sunset Region champ Bonanza will take on McQueen in the other semifinal. The winners play Friday at 9 a.m.

Gorman's girls face McQueen today, while the other half of the bracket will feature a matchup between north No. 1 Reno and Sunrise champ Silverado. The Skyhawks are favorites to win it all after an undefeated regular season.

Individual singles and doubles play begins Friday and concludes on Saturday.

Palo Verde will host a basketball camp for boys and girls in grades 3-9 from Nov. 8-10. The cost is $100. For more information, call Phil Clarke at 799-1450, ext. 237 or 254-4028...

Durango will host a basketball coaches clinic Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with registration at 8:30 a.m. Men and women with all levels of coaching experience are invited to participate. To pre-register, call Al LaRocque at 363-7805...

KRLV AM-1340 will air Friday's Palo Verde at Cimarron-Memorial football game live at 7 p.m. Cox Cable Channel 48 will air Friday's Western at Clark game next Wednesday at 7 p.m.