Dan Allison is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com

The Mountain Pointe Boys Golf team finished second out of three schools in their  seventh event of the 2022 fall season on Tuesday afternoon at Ahwatukee Country Club.

A team spearheaded by veteran leaders was able to put together a solid outing to earn second against American Leadership Academy - Gilbert North and Shadow Mountain. But while the Pride mustered together some decent rounds, several players believe their ceiling is higher.

“I was playing pretty good. I was even through most of the day,” senior captain Teagen Kearney said, “My goal was to shoot two over or better today.”

Fellow senior Robert Villalobos felt good after his round.

“I was playing pretty good today, I shot my best round of the year.” Villalobos said, “But it could have definitely been better.”

Kearney and Villalobos help lead the Pride with a lot of golf experience under their belt, playing since they were freshmen. Kearney, as the captain, led the charge on Tuesday with a 2-over par in the first group of the tee. Villalobos was stationed in one of the later groups, bringing out some of his best golf of the season as the Pride battled with Gilbert North for the first spot. 

“This year is our first chance to make it to state out of all the years we’ve (the seniors) been playing,” Kearney said, “So that is our main goal.”

Mountain Pointe has been consistently in the middle of the pack in their events this season, with another middling finish on Tuesday. Despite their average play, the Pride believe they have what it takes to compete.

“We are right there, right on the cusp of making state,” Villalobos said.

To make state, the Pride will need to see more of what they saw on Tuesday with their veterans posting their best scores.

“I feel polished, I have the best game that I have had in the last four years,” Kearney said, “Our team is getting better and better each week.”

While the seniors remain confident, head coach Tony Ramseyer knows what they still need to work on.

“Our shot decision making is not the best,” Ramseyer said about Tuesday’s round. “Some of these kids don’t make good decisions on the course, and it puts them in positions that are trouble.

“We have a few too many mishits that once in a while cause our scores to go up. It's the little things.”

Ramseyer, who has been coached golf for 24 years and led the Pride since 2001, said that while they are not perfect, appreciates his roster and the leadership on it.

“As a coach in golf, you are more of a facilitator," Ramseyer said. “Having the seniors lead by example, how you can get to that level. Are they breaking 40 every time? No, but they have shown tremendous improvement.”

With seven events down and seven to go, the Pride will key in on their state championship goals down the homestretch.

“I like the goal. Is it a realistic goal? Stranger things have happened, but they have a lot of work to do,” Ramseyer said.

Mountain Pointe will be back in action on Thursday for a three-tteam match against Central High School and Shadow Ridge High School.