Golf

2011 Park City Boy's Golf Team

2011 State Championship Team

PCHS golf: State title No. 4 adds to team's lore
Boys' golf team wins fourth straight 3A state title Thursday
Christopher Kamrani, The Park Record
Posted: 10/07/2011 04:35:12 PM MDT

There are four of them now, all in a row, for the Park City High School boys' golf team.
The Miners continued their amazing string of domination Thursday afternoon, completing an unprecedented fourth straight 3A state championship at Fox Hollow Golf Course in American Fork.
Park City took a one-stroke lead into the second day of the two-day tournament, but the inclement weather made things interesting as snow began to fall when the final group, which included Park City junior Justin Shluker, teed off on the first hole.
The weather stayed frigid, stormy and uninviting, but the Miners didn't care. They emerged victorious as the best 3A team in the state yet again.
"We know how hard it is in golf," said Park City head coach George Murphy about remaining atop the mountain. "We'll take it."
The Miners won the 3A title by eight strokes, finishing ahead of Region 10 foes Wasatch (2nd), Uintah (3rd) and Juan Diego (4th). The final four at the 3A state championship were identical to the final regular-season standings in Region 10 play. Park City shot a combined 623 (316 on day one, 307 on day two).
Shluker, who finished third at the state tournament a year ago, was the Medalist this time around, finishing with a 70 overall (-2) Thursday, and shot an astounding five-under on the back nine. After shooting an impressive 72 overall Wednesday, Shluker played some of the best golf of his life he said. He added that battling through, and ultimately winning a challenging Region
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10, was the difference for Park City at state.
"It gave us more hunger to win," he said. "We saw the competition at the beginning of the year and we said whoever was going to win region was going to win state."
Murphy, who has coached all of the last four state championship teams, credited his players' willingness to adapt, which ultimately led to another state crown.
"They knew it was going to be close and tight," he said. "It was how they responded that was special. Having closer region matches this year better prepared them for it.
"We'll take it when we can get it. It was a total team effort. It's pretty cool to be able to compete at this level and be able to play and have kids to come back every year that want it and play at that high level."
So, state title No. 4 under Murphy will be represented in the trophy case at Park City High School next year. But how does the Miners' head coach do it, exactly?
"It's a testament to them," he said. "In their offseason, they spend time in tournaments everywhere. It's kind of an expectation now when you come into Park City High School, you have to get yourself competitive just to make the team to play for a team that's winning state championships, just to get a spot on the team.
"It's pretty cool. It's fun to be with these guys and be their coach and fun to watch."
Shluker said the weight of pursuing another state title was welcomed by this year's team. He said the pressure was there, but it was comforting knowing the squad had the talent and drive to pull it off.
"It's a team effort every single year," he said. "Our team stepped up."
This 2011 Miners' squad, as Shluker pointed out, is a close one. He said winning a state championship with teammates who are also good friends makes it that much sweeter.
"We've all grown close, and to win it with friends is more exciting," he said. "I feel like everyone has a more of a bond; we help each other get back and stay the course and just try to put out a good number. It just happened that these last two days we were all great."
Asked if he will relish the moment a bit, now as a two-time 3A state champion team member and defender of the individual state crown, Shluker said there's never time to rest in golf.
"I think I'll try to continue to get better and win it again next year," he said.
As Murphy was making his fourth-straight journey back to Park City with a car full of state title guardians, he said he was scrolling through his cell phone, ready to call members of the previous senior classes to deliver the message: "We're keeping the tradition going for you guys."
Added Park City's head coach: "We've got a chance next year."
As if no one already knew.
The following results from the Park City High School fourth straight championship team: Junior Justin Shluker shot a combined 142, junior Jack Egan shot a combined 158, sophomore Harry Hanskat shot a combined 163, senior Andrew Method and Adam Eisenbarth each shot a combined 164 and senior Evan Fleming shot a combined 171.
Members of the 2011 Park City High School boys' golf team are: seniors Andrew Method, Ben Harries, Bryce Parry and Evan Fleming; juniors Justin Shluker, Jackson Rogers, Jack Egan and Adam Eisenbarth; sophomores Colton Kissell, Harry Hanskat and TJ Mayo and freshman Tommy Halsey.

PCHS boys' golf team gunning for fourth straight 3A title
3A state champs three years running, new team goes for another state crown
Christopher Kamrani , The Park Record
Posted: 08/12/2011 02:08:06 PM MDT

Junior Justin Shluker will be one of many players on the revamped Park...
The question is: Can the Miners do it a fourth year in a row?
The Park City High School boys' golf team, the class of 3A golf in the state, is coming off a 2010 season in which it won its third straight state title. But much like any reign, there comes a time when the champions are thoroughly tested.
This seems to be the year. The Miners have lost a handful of key seniors who carried Park City golf to state supremacy.
"We lost some great players and they were all part of a good run a great run over the past four years," said Miners head coach George Murphy. "But I'm excited about the group we have here this year."
Junior Justin Shluker returns from a strong sophomore season that featured him taking third overall in the 3A state tournament in St. George. Other key returning members are seniors Andrew Method and Evan Fleming along with junior Jack Egan.
The key this year for Park City will be, as Murphy put it, a "group effort from everyone."
But he said that doesn't mean there won't be leaders who develop over the course of the season.
"It's fun to watch the kids mature and step up," he said. "I look forward to the same thing with this group."
A new and much improved Region 10 has the Miners looking to raise their game, just as every program at Park City will have to this upcoming 2011-12 season.
This year Park City will no longer face the likes of American Leadership Academy and Carbon. Joining the fray are Juan Diego, Judge Memorial and Uintah.
"It's
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great," Murphy said. "We look forward to the competition. It'll give us more preparedness for the state tournament. We'll be playing the top teams in 3A just in our region. That'll keep us in shape. (The players) are looking forward to the challenge. They like the stronger region as well.
"We've been able to, over the past four years, set a pretty high standard for 3A. Our goal is to win state, but that's our goal every year. Every team's got that goal. We have a team that can do it again this year."
Asked to define a strength of his team this year, Murphy mentioned his players' familiarity with one another.
"I think they've been playing a lot together, just like the last group of seniors," he said. "These guys are pretty close."
As for a potential chink in the armor?
"Maybe consistency," he said. "It's hard to take a bigger group that can shoot really low. That's our challenge: to get those kids who can shoot mid 70s, and can go lower on a consistent basis."
The season-opening tournament is scheduled for Aug. 15 in Vernal.
"The kids have to be ready to take that challenge, up their game and start shooting those lower scores," Murphy said. "They know it's not going to be easy. They've got to believe they can do it and do it when the pressure's on.
"It's a whole different ballgame."

PCHS boys' golf: Golfers chasing rival Wasatch
Halfway through the season, Miners sit five strokes behind Wasps
Christopher Kamrani, The Park Record
Posted: 08/26/2011 04:26:13 PM MDT

Following three Region 10 tournaments and halfway through its 2011 season, the Park City High School boys' golf team finds itself in a dogfight.
And the team the Miners are gunning for? How about the rival Wasatch Wasps?
Following Wednesday's Region 10 tournament at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Park City sits only five strokes behind the Wasps. On Wednesday, Wasatch (293) finished two strokes ahead of the Miners (295). Through three tournaments, Park City's combined score trails that of the Wasps 898 to 893.
"Like I've said, it's going to be close and I think it's going to be close those last three tournaments," said Park City head coach George Murphy.
Juan Diego Catholic High School sits 20 strokes behind Wasatch in third place.
Park City had seven of its eight varsity players shoot in the 70s Wednesday as junior Justin Shluker led the way with a 71 (-1). Fellow junior Jack Egan followed close behind with a 74 (+2) and senior Evan Fleming and sophomore Harry Hanskat each finished with a 75 (+3). The trio of Adam Eisenbarth, Andrew Method and Jackson Rogers each shot 78 (+6).
"That was impressive, as what these guys were able to do yesterday," Murphy said Thursday. "The course wasn't playing very long or windy; there were some pretty low scores out there from the region as well."
Murphy said he isn't concerned about being five strokes behind Wasatch. He recalled being four strokes back of Judge Memorial High School in last season's 3A state tournament on the last day
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before storming back to win the state title by 28 strokes.
"I think it's healthy for our team to be in this position," he said. "In one day, being behind four or five strokes, you can have a player lose that on one hole and blow up. That's why having it this close is pretty amazing; these teams are this tight."
Region 10 play gets a break over the next two weeks as the next tournament isn't scheduled until Thursday, Sept. 8, in Park City. This will be the only home region tournament of the season for the Miners.
"We're just getting them ready, and hopefully they'll take advantage of having the home tournament," Murphy said. "They're up for it, they're excited."
In years past, Park City's region domination allowed the team to realize which players can fit into what spots in preparation for the 3A state tournament early on in the season.
This year is a bit different.
"They're kind of falling into place, turning up their game, I guess," Murphy said. "It'll be a dogfight to be in that top six to go to state. It'll be a tough decision. But we can't ahead of ourselves. Now these region tournaments matter and we can't take anything for granted."

PCHS boys' golf: Shluker, Egan leading the way
Junior duo helping PCHS golf squad gun for fourth-straight state title
Christopher Kamrani , The Park Record
Posted: 09/02/2011 04:38:19 PM MDT

The pair tee off into the howling wind parallel to one another Wednesday afternoon at Park Meadows Golf Course. With each finished swing, they chat, talking how to battle the strong gusts.
Justin Shluker and Jack Egan, both juniors at Park City High School, are the Miners' top golfers this season and have learned to battle more than just a few pesky breezes. The only returning varsity players from last year's 3A state tournament where Park City won its third straight state title, Shluker and Egan are looked upon to lead a program gunning for an unprecedented fourth-straight state championship.
"They're different leaders in different ways," said Park City head coach George Murphy. "Those guys seem to motivate the other kids and they're doing a great job."
Shluker leads by example. The quiet junior won the Region 10 tournament last year and finished third in the state as a sophomore. Egan, more vocal, knows his role on the team, and, thoroughly enjoys it.
"For me, I want to finish in the top seven in state," Egan said. "Justin probably wants to win it."
Shluker and Egan are Park City kids. Egan moved to town at the age of four from Georgia, Shluker from Salt Lake City at age three.
Each said he was introduced to the often-torturing game of golf through his father.
"He just put the club in my hand," said Shluker, who began playing at age seven.
Egan said he was five when he took his first swing.
Egan said 2011 is a little more enjoyable than years past. It's
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not just one person's team; it belongs to the whole lot.
"It's definitely more of a team effort this year," he said. "In the past, we had a couple guys that would just dominate. This year, we all have to play well in order to win. That's one thing I like.
"It's just more fun. It's much more competitive and there's a lot more pressure on us."
So, do Park City's top golfers feel pressure from within?
"You bet," Murphy said. "They've got a big target on their backs. The other kids always know they're playing the top two on the team. That just motivates them even more."
So far this season, Park City sits somewhat comfortably in second place in Region 10, trailing rival Wasatch by a total of five strokes. Shluker is currently third in region, having shot a season-best 69 (-3) at the first region tournament in Vernal a couple weeks ago. Egan is currently eighth, having shot a season-best 74 (+2) last Wednesday at Soldier Hollow.
"The other kids see that and they kind of get that same level of energy and expectation," Murphy said.
According to Murphy, Shluker has high expectations for himself every time he pins the tee in the grass. He also said his on-course swagger is exciting to watch as a coach.
"He's a talented kid and has a lot of potential," he said. "He's really tough on himself sometimes. Sometimes it can be a strength or a weakness, but he expects some great results every time."
Last week at Soldier Hollow, Murphy said Shluker was even par after the first three holes. He calmly approached his head coach and said, "If I can hit greens, I'll make every putt."
"That's the confidence he has," Murphy said. "If he's struggling a bit with his swing, he's got the short game to overcome that and come back and take care of it."
Egan's verbal guidance is a major plus for the young Miners. Asked what he does to keep the mood light, he said, "Just making sure everyone is having fun."
"He's a good leader," Murphy said. "The kids really like him a lot. We've got good camaraderie and a lot of different personalities. These kids really get along with each other."
Egan is a competitive mogul skier in the offseason. He said his only other hobbies are golf and friends.
Shluker said his hobbies don't venture too far off the links.
"I don't do anything," he said. "Just golf."
As the Miners prepare to host their annual Region 10 tournament on Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Park City Golf Course, Egan wasn't coy when talking about challenges that lie ahead of his team.
"It's probably the best region in the state, for sure," he said of the revamped Region 10. "Probably one of the best regions Utah has ever seen it's stacked."
Murphy said he's enjoying second place for the time being. It's foreign territory for the three-time defending state champs, but he said with Shluker, Egan and Co. leading the way, it should make for a photo finish.
"With golf, you can't force anything, but you can sure work harder and get yourself into a spot where you can see some good results," he said.
As for a perfect cap to their tricky 2011 season?
"Win state for a fourth straight time," Shluker said.
"If we could win state and I finish, say, 15th, that'd be just fine," said Egan. "That'd be awesome if we can win it again."

PCHS boys' golf: Miners grab hold of Region 10 lead
A 17-stroke win vaults PCHS past Wasatch in standings
Christopher Kamrani, The Park Record
Posted: 09/09/2011 04:38:13 PM MDT

(Tyler Cobb/Park Record) Sophomore Harry Hanskat watches his putt on the eighth hole at Park City...
They sat back and waited for their shot.
And when the opportunity presented itself at last, they made sure they didn't let it pass them by.
The Park City High School boys' golf team dominated the fourth Region 10 tournament of the season Thursday afternoon at Park City Golf Course, winning the tournament by a total of 17 strokes, which allowed the Miners to leapfrog rival Wasatch. Park City now has a 12-stroke lead in the season standings.
Junior Justin Shluker led the way for the Miners, shooting an overall 71 (-1), the second best outing of the tournament. Senior Evan Fleming followed behind with an overall 74 (+2). Two other Park City golfers shot 76 (+4), which was more than enough to fly by the Wasps as the new schools in the region got a taste of the tricky Park City Golf Course.
Park City shot an overall 297.
"It showed," said Park City head coach George Murphy. "The next best total score was 311. With this course, it was a little bit more difficult for (other teams). Today, I think home-course advantage helped out a lot."
Murphy said it was nice to see his players finally put some separation between themselves and the rest of the region. This is the first time this season the Miners have been in sole possession of first place in Region 10.
"I'm glad the way they responded to a closer, tighter region," he said. "It's pressure, and it's just great how well they handled it; they're proving they can do it. They'll bring that when we go to state. It's good
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to see."
With two Region 10 tournaments remaining this season, the Miners are back on familiar ground and seem to be gaining steam heading toward the 3A state tournament.
"We're back where we're happy to be," Murphy said.
The Miners will head to Roosevelt next week, a course that Murphy says is much like Park City's home course: a tight layout that could make things interested heading into the final region tournament of the season at Juan Diego in a couple weeks.
"It's not over by any means," he said. "We'll see how it goes. I think they'll be ready for it. They're pumped that they got the lead back."
Park City is back in its comfort zone, but Wasatch looms 12 strokes behind and has the ability to make some noise.
"It's proving to be Wasatch and Park City down the stretch," he said. "It'll probably come down to both those teams in the end."

PPCHS golfers cling to lead
Harry Hanskat's 72 is the Miners' best on Thursday
David Hampshire, The Park Record
Posted: 09/16/2011 04:12:18 PM MDT

Sophomore Harry Hanskat will be a key member of the Park City golf team at the state tournament,...
Sophomore Harry Hanskat shot a two-over-par 72 to lead the Park City High School boys' golf team to a two-stroke win over Uintah in a Region 10 tournament in Roosevelt Thursday.
Park City finished with a team score of 301 to edge Uintah (303) and Wasatch (306).
"For our kids, that was a pretty good showing," said Park City head coach George Murphy, who noted that the Miners have struggled to master the Roosevelt course over the years.
With one tournament left on the region schedule, Park City has a 17-stroke lead over Wasatch and a 36-stroke lead over Uinta.
"That's after counting 1,400 or 1,500 strokes overall," Murphy said. "After that many strokes, it's still pretty close."
According to Murphy, Hanskat has had "a pretty solid season," but had never posted the low score for the team in a tournament before Thursday. "He's going to contribute a lot to the state team," he said. Following Hanskat were juniors Justin Shluker and Jack Egan, each with a 75 (+3), and senior Evan Fleming with a 77 (+5).
Shluker, who won the individual Region 10 title a year ago, is in second place this year, five strokes behind Jake Wagstaff of Wasatch.
The team and individual Region 10 titles will be settled Thursday, Sept. 22, at the River Oaks golf course, Juan Diego High School's home course.
"After next week we'll cut our team from 12 to six and we'll take those six to the state tournament," Murphy said.
The state tournament is set for Oct. 5 and 6 at Fox Hollow in
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American Fork. Park City will be shooting for its fourth straight 3A team title.