Carson golf team fourth at Pahrump

PAHRUMP - John Chirilla placed third and Carson High School finished fourth as a team at the Cal-Vada/Pahrump Invitational boys golf tournament on Saturday.

Carson finished the two-day event with a 555 team score, good for fourth in the tournament's gold flight. Green Valley won the title with a 544 score, five strokes better than Garces Memorial of Bakersfield, Calif., while Las Vegas Durango took third at 552.

Chirilla shot 2-over par 61 on the Cal-Vada Golf and Country Club's executive course and then picked up the third-place prize when he won a two-hole playoff. Chirilla shot 1-under 70 to lead after the first round to finish with a 131 total, two shots out of the lead.

Nick Zappin led the Senators on Saturday with his 1-over 60 and finished the tournament at 136. Josh Bratzler shot 64 (143) and Toby Steele 66 (145) to round out the team scoring for Carson.

Carson coach Paul Croghan was pleased with the outcome of the trip South.

"That was far our best as a team at this tournament," Croghan said. "The kids played well today. They were 15-over par as a team, and even though they were playing the executive course, it's not an easy course."

The executive course also provided an opportunity for players to work with their irons.

"There are some long par-3s - one 234-yarder and a couple of others that are around 220," Croghan said. "The short game is always an important factor, so this was excellent practice."

Of local interest, Douglas and South Tahoe both finished the tournament with 617 scores, while Fallon shot 638.