Valley Christian standout James Mackie (Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

State Championship

May 8-9: Omni Tucson National

 

To recap, the top team from each of the seven sections will earn an automatic berth to the state playoffs and eight at-large berths will be awarded to the remaining teams based on iWr Ranking. In addition, 15 individuals not attached to a qualifying team will earn a spot in the state playoffs.

A minimum of seven rounds are needed for teams and individuals.

As of Monday, April 9, the top teams from each of the seven sections are No. 1 Snowflake (Sec. 1), No. 6 Yuma Catholic (Sec. 2), No. 11 Safford (Sec. 3), No. 3 Fountain Hills (Sec. 4), No. 23 Northland Prep (Sec. 5), No. 2 Valley Christian (Sec. 6) and No. 4 Desert Christian (Sec. 7).

Assuming teams will reach the required rounds, the next eight in would be No. 5 Scottsdale Prep (Sec. 4), No. 7 Northwest Christian (Sec. 4), No. 8 Wickenburg (Sec. 2), No. 9 Arizona College Prep (Sec. 6), No. 10 Blue Ridge (Sec. 1), No. 12 Thatcher (Sec. 2), No. 13 Phoenix Country Day (Sec. 4) and No. 14 Payson (Sec. 1).

The 15 individuals would be: Sarah Hameed (Gilbert Classical), Dougie Kelham (Rancho Solano), Matthew Bernthal (Arizona Lutheran), J. Cabot Fowler (Veritas Prep), Logan Adams (Willcox), RJ Wright III (Bisbee), Axel Hjertstedt (Rancho Solano Prep), Ainsley Snyder (Gilbert Classical), Will Vickery (Empire), Hayden Schutte (Odyssey Institute), Jake Scott (Kingman Academy), Eric Baker (Arete Prep), Brennan Weir (Arete Prep), Jase Record (Paradise Honors) and Robert Sainz (Morenci).

The field is led by defending state champion, and Alabama commit, Frankie Capan. The Northwest Christian senior is the top-ranked D-III golfer in the state and he will be challenged by No. 2 James Mackie. Mackie won the state championship in 2016 as a freshman for Valley Christian.

The Trojans captured four straight state championships from 2013 to 2016 until Capan and Northwest Christian came away with a four-stroke victory over Valley Christian last year.

Scottsdale Prep freshman Davis Johnson is currently ranked No. 3.

Desert Christian senior Johnny Gleason is the highest ranked player from Southern Arizona at No. 10. Mackie and Gleason went up against each other on Monday night in a match that included No. 2 Valley Christian, No.4 Desert Christian and No. 14 Payson.  The three teams played a full 18-hole round on the Sonoran Course of the Omni Tucson National, home of the AIA state playoffs.

Mackie shot 1-under-par after 18 and Gleason finished 1-over but both shot an even 35 in the first nine holes.