The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT May 15, 2010

After years of having to jump on a bus and travel to the southern end of the state, area golfers can rest a little more easily this weekend as those schools from Pocatello, Boise and the rest of the Treasure Valley have to make the trek to Kootenai County for three of the four state golf tournaments, taking place Monday and Tuesday in the Coeur d'Alene-Post Falls area.

MOST LOCAL coaches have been eying this date since the final stroke was counted last year.

Coeur d'Alene coach Bryan Duncan vows to have his 5A Region 1 champion Vikings ready to play come the 8:30 a.m. shotgun start at Avondale Golf Course on Monday.

"We've kind of flown under the radar the last couple of years," Duncan said. "To have it on your home course kind of puts the pressure on you and the kids. We've got two quality seniors, a junior and a couple sophomores, so they'll be ready for it."

Duncan considers his team as one of the favorites, but is aware that anything can happen on any given day.

"Hopefully we'll be seen as a contender," Duncan said. "We still have to go play. There are no gimmies and anything can happen."

Lake City coach Kent Scanlon said his individual qualifier, Kevin Porto, will also benefit from the closer surroundings.

"We're really fortunate that state is up here," Scanlon said. "It's not our home course, but Avondale provides a chance to score well. I'm really looking forward to having him play at state."

Coeur d'Alene senior Andrew Roller, who won regional medalist honors last Monday, was equally pleased with his performance.

"I hadn't had one all year," Roller said. "Especially to have it on my home course was big. It was a really awesome feeling."

Should it happen twice in a row, Roller will be a little more overwhelmed.

"Oh my god, if I won again on Tuesday, it probably wouldn't sink in for a while," Roller said. "I'm pretty good at not letting the nerves get to me and can play well under pressure."

Of winning the regional tournament, Roller added that the pressure was already on them to win and they responded.

"We'd been expected to win," Roller said. "And we got it done with authority."

Stay tuned to see if they keep it going a couple more days.

WHEN THE 3A tournament tees off at The Links on Monday, both the Kellogg boys and girls teams, along with the Bonners Ferry boys and St. Maries girls will take aim at the best from the south in Post Falls.

Wallace will send its girls team, along with senior Jase Bennett, to the 2A tournament at Bryden Canyon Golf Course in Lewiston.

Throw in state track, tennis, softball and baseball tournaments next weekend and you've got one busy week as the prep season winds down next weekend.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2020, or via e-mail at jelliott@cdapress.com.