Carson High freshman Lukas Taggart played two solid rounds of golf and his reward was becoming a state qualifier. Taggart qualified the the State Championships after finishing 13th overall at the Northern 4A Championships held on Monday and Tuesday at Wildcreek in Sparks. The State Championships will be held May 13 and 14 at Reno’s Somersett Country Club. The top six golfers on non-qualifying teams qualified for the State Championships. Taggart finished fourth among players not on qualifying teams after finishing with a 165 (83-82). “Lukas played really smart golf,” said Carson coach Wade Greenlee about Taggart’s play on Tuesday. “Just like on Monday he didn’t hit a lot of greens in regulation, but got up and down numerous times for par. He was pretty solid off the tee, which helped him avoid any big numbers.” Taggart finished with a par on the par-5 18th hole after a nice 3-iron to the fairway, 9-iron to 110 yards of the hole, and then a wedge to about 10 feet, where he 2-putted for a par to finish with a 165. “The final qualifier spot was a 166 so that was excellent course management,” Greenlee said. “He could have lost it on that hole.” Zander Smokey and sophomore Brandon Engels also had solid efforts for CHS at regionals. Smokey finished 21st with a 172 (85-87). “He played well, but couldn’t get any putts to fall and missed some short par putts,” Greenlee said. “Even though he didn’t qualify for state, he can proud of his four years of golf. He improved so much and became one of our best players and leaders.” Engels fnished 29th with a 182 (93-89). He may have played his best round of the year with his 89 on Tuesday. “He’s getting better at course management and controlling his shots,” Greenlee said. “If he continues to play this year I see him as a consistent 80’s shooter next year.”
