4A Boys Golf: Evergreen Captures First State Title in School History

MONTROSE – Four years ago, Noah Richmond witnessed Montrose golfer Micah Stangebye win the Class 4A state golf tournament at The Bridges. 

Richmond, who looked up to Stangebye, found himself emulating his hero Tuesday at this year’s tournament — which also happened to be at The Bridges. The Montrose senior went on a tear on the front nine, shooting a 7-under-par 28 — including five birdies and an eagle.

Richmond found himself in first place after coming into the day in 10th place after shooting a 74 yesterday. He finished his round with a 65, giving him a total score of 139 which was two strokes better than Evergreen golfers Liam Houlihan and Tyler Long who both shot 141. 

“I was just trying to get back into it,” Richmond said of his performance on the front nine. “I’m a chaser so I knew coming into today I could do it. I just had to believe in myself. Once I started getting it going, I said to myself, ‘Keep going, keep going.’ I just made the best of what I had.

”Thankfully today, everything worked out.”

Montrose coach Steve Skiff credited Richmond’s knowledge with the course, as well as his relaxed approach to the sport in helping him secure the title.

“When Noah plays relaxed and aggressive, he plays some amazing golf,” Skiff said. “That’s what he did today. He got off to a great start.”

Evergreen won the team title with a total score of 440. It’s the first-ever state golf championship for the Cougars. 

“We had a good group of guys,” Evergreen coach Brad Garrett said. “I’m glad to be a part of this state championship team. It’s a result of all their work and passion for the game. They played great this year.”

Grand Junction came in second (446) while Riverdale Ridge placed third (447). Rounding out the top five are Windsor which took fourth (452) and Cheyenne Mountain in fifth (454). 

The Cougars won in part due to Houlihan and Long finishing tied for second place. Lincoln Mackay shot a 158 which was good for a tie in 28th and Luke Sabina finished tied for 46th after finishing with an overall score of 165. 

Garrett said all four of his golfers had success this season with Houlihan and Long getting in the groove at the state tournament.

“That’s the beauty of golf because sometimes guys are hot and sometimes guys are not so hot,” Garrett said. “So this week, Tyler and Liam were very hot in finishing high in the individual ranking. But our two other guys, Lincoln and Luke, played great golf all year long to get us here. It was an awesome experience watching them all season long.” 

Houlihan carded a 70 during the first round which gave him the lead while Long was one stroke back with a 71. The pair swapped scores on Tuesday as Houlihan and Long both finished their final round with five birdies 

Houlihan was the only golfer to shoot below par on day one of the tournament as he was 1-under. The conditions proved tough as the weather was cold, rainy and windy. 

Garrett said his team being able to weather the storm best was a big reason why the Cougars won the state title. 

“For them (Houlihan and Long) to shoot those numbers in that kind of weather was just impressive,” Garrett said. “I think that made the difference.” 

Littleton golfer Jack Finch placed fourth with a 143 while Pueblo West’s Preston Allen and Jack Kaul of Grand Junction finished tied for fifth (145). Cheyenne Mountain’s Charlie Doyle was seventh (147) and Steamboat Springs’ Charlie Reisman and Grand Junction’s Hunter Simmons tied for eighth (148). 

There was a three-way tie for 10th as Lutheran golfer Joey Garofalo, Riverdale Ridge’s Will Balliet and Kellen Ball of Windsor all shot 149. 

Meanwhile, Richmond joins former teammate Jordan Jennings, who won in 2020, and Stangebye, who secured the title twice, as Montrose golfers to win an individual state championship.

“I always looked up to Micah,” Richmond said. “I saw his aspect of the golf game. I just went ‘OK, I can do that. I can push myself to that level.’ … It was cool to see (Jennings) win (the individual title), too. I saw what it takes to win.”