Big things expected from Green Valley, Coronado

Jeff Neubert

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 | 9:13 a.m.

Today's Sunrise Region golf tournament looks to be very competitive, with three of the top five teams from the Las Vegas Valley competing in the six-team field.

But just as Sunset Region golfers dealt with wind in Henderson on Monday, Sunrise golfers should have more of the same. Winds were expected to gust between 10 and 20 mph with a 20 percent chance of thundershowers.

"I think it will definitely have an effect," Green Valley coach Greg Murphy said about the winds. "It will separate the field."

Despite the weather, Green Valley looks to be very tough with the top two golfers in the Southeast Division. Adam Tebbs, last year's Sunrise Region champion, and Darius Estrada lead the Gators.

"Depending on weather, I expect them to shoot close to even, if not under," Murphy said.

Green Valley entered the tournament with an 11-1 record in league play and 16-2 overall.

Right behind the Gators in the Southeast Division is Coronado. The Cougars are tied for the division lead with a league record of 11-1 and an overall record of 12-3. The Cougars also have two golfers in the top five - Darren Michels at third, and Chris Baden in fifth.

Both Green Valley and Coronado entered the tournament as the Sunrise Region favorites.

But Las Vegas High, ranked third in the region, is the only team undefeated in league play with records of11-0 in league and 12-1 overall.

"I think that Green Valley and Coronado are going to have to fall apart," Las Vegas coach Sean Purtill said about his team's chances of winning the tournament. "Or we are going to have to shoot lights out."

Brette Maynard, Brad Thompson, Kyle Meade, and William Sweat lead Las Vegas. They are four of the top five golfers in the Northeast Division.

"We have two players that I think might be under a little pressure -- Brette Maynard and Brad Thompson." Purtill said. Thompson and Maynard are both in the hunt to qualify for the state tournament.

Even with an 8-3 record in league and 9-4 overall, Desert Pines looks to do some damage, especially since it has one of the best golfers in the Sunrise Region. Matt Nolasco has the divison's best average at 35.5 entering the tournament.

Eldorado might be a surprise in the tournament. The Sundevils do not have a single player in the top 35, but they could be a darkhorse worth watching.

Silverado and Foothill will enter the tournament as the underdogs. Foothill is in seventh place with a 6-4-league record and 6-8 overall. Silverado is in sixth place at 6-4 in league and 8-7 overall.

The Sunrise Regional championships will be held at Rhodes Ranch Golf Club all day today. The tournament is scheduled for one 18-hole round.

The top two teams from this round will go on to the state tournament, which is to be held at Red Hawk Golf Club in Sparks. The top five individuals will also advance to the state tournament.