Tyler Obalek is an ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus High School for AZpreps365.com

MESA —  The Cactus boys golf team placed third in a tri-match at Dobson Ranch Golf Course on Tuesday. Luck wasn’t in the cards for the Cobras, as course hazards played a pivotal role late in the round.

The struggles for Cactus continued, as for the second straight week the Cobras finished last with a score of 215. For coach Chad Higuera’s  Cobras, in the penultimate match of the season, the results could have been much better.

As the sky turned to dusk on the eighth hole, senior Trevor Van Linden hit his ball directly into the water hazard.

“I just didn’t expect there to be water right there,” Van Linden said.

Leading the way for the Cobras was senior Triston Baker, who finished with an 8-over-par 45. Baker has been the team’s top performer all season.

“Triston has always been our guy this year. He’s a solid dude,” Higuera said.

Junior Carson Mell shot 14-over-par to finish his round at 51.

Westwood placed first with a team score of 155.

“Weeks and weeks of hard work paid off,” Warriors coach John Gorman said.

Westwood was led by senior Adam Warren, who shot even and won the night with a par 37.

“After my birdie on two, it was nice. It helped me get my momentum going,” Warren said. “I just have to keep playing good golf and not get down on myself.”

Warren’s teammate, junior Boston Rensch, followed in grand fashion with a 1-over 38, echoing a similar upbeat attitude.

“I bounced back after several bad shots,” Rensch said.. “I just got to do what I’ve been doing all year.” 

Westwood senior Mark Wright finished fourth overall in the competition and was proud of his round.

“My driver was really good today. Just gotta work on my putting,” Wright said.

Shadow Mountain finished second with a score of 198. 

Even though it was the Matadors’ first visit to Dobson Ranch, junior Jacob Aiden and junior Nikolas Reno tied at 11-over 49.

“It’s a pretty big course, and they handled it pretty well,” Matadors coach Jason Goudie said.

Junior Collin Clark tallied a 12-over 50 and saw the bright side.

“It was not a good day, but it was one of my better rounds this year,” Clark said.

Cactus concludes its regular season on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Elephant Rocks Golf Course in Williams. On Oct. 17, the Cobras will compete in the PUSD Boys Golf District Tournament at Riverview Golf Course.