Prep golfers weather the storm - so far

No excuses.

Not for the lousy spring weather.

Not for any struggles on the golf course.

The Post Falls High boys golf team had to overcome some self-inflicted adversity to win their second straight 5A Region 1 championship — and just the Trojans’ third regional title in school history — Monday at the Lewiston Country Club.

In fact, the one that Post Falls coach Maria Kostina pointed out as playing the best of the five didn’t even have his score count.

That would be junior Dakota Wild, who shot 84 but had troubles all his own to deal with.

Wild twisted his ankle last Friday at the Lakeland Invitational at The Links — his first varsity tournament.

It bothered him on Monday, and “a couple holes he played barefoot, because his shoe was too tight,” Kostina said.

The Trojans checked with tournament officials to make sure it was OK if he played barefoot, lest they risk a DQ.

OF THE five who qualified the Trojans to state, Chase Bomar is the lone senior. The rest are juniors — Wild, Tanner Byers, Cameron Flores and Jacob Glenn.

Bomar played on the Post Falls team two years ago that finished fifth — one spot away from a trophy — at Avondale Golf Club in Hayden Lake.

Last year, Bomar, Byers and Flores played on the Trojans team that brought home a trophy with a fourth-place finish.

This year, the Trojan boys have won six of the nine tournaments they have entered, and figure to contend for a trophy again this year when state unfolds Monday and Tuesday at Teton Lake Golf Course in Rexburg.

“I think they can catch a little wave and ride it for a while,” Kostina said.

She attributed her boys’ turnaround on Monday to a mid-round attitude adjustment — rather than stay mad after stuff like 3-putts, they lightened up and played better.

“I love their outlook,” Kostina said. “I feel like they know that, whatever kind of conditions they get, what condition their game is in, they will persevere.”

ABOUT THAT weather.

The weather forecast for eastern Idaho early next week calls for cloudy, with just a slight chance of rain.

That would be a victory, given the spring we’ve had up North.

Even if it wasn’t, you wouldn’t hear the Trojans mention the weather.

“No excuses,” Kostina said. “Every time I say something close to that they say, ‘Coach, you’re not making excuses.’ They kinda keep me in line.”

Ditto for Lake City’s girls, who won the 5A Region 1 title on Monday for their first regional title since 2001.

“This is a great group of kids,” Lake City girls coach Corey Owen said. “We’ve had the worst weather ever this spring. They’ve never complained, never whined, and it paid off for them.”

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.