Coach Randy Morris, Brendon Pederson, Joe Beck III, Klein Klotz, Taylor Termeer, Austin Sholtis and Coach Erik Henson of Lake Travis.
Lake Travis captured the Boys 4-A state golf championship by overcoming archrival Highland Park. Led by Joe Beck III, the individual state 4-A champion, Taylor Termeer, who finished 2nd, and Klein Klotz who finished 5th individually, Lake Travis claimed the team title. Comments from the players reinforced the team spirit that lead them through district and regional championships to win the state title. Taylor Termeer reflected on the team effort in this interview.
Joe Beck III and Taylor Termeer were locked in a duel for the individual title and played at a very high level throughout the day. Beck started the day at one over par with Termeer two shots behind at three over par. Going into the final three hole stretch Termeer birdied the 16th to get to five under par for the round and two under for the tournament. Beck III parred the 16th after going for the par five green on his second shot, which cleared the water and landed over the green. He eventaully made par, missing a birdie putt. That left him tied with Termeer at 2 under for the tournament. Termeer parred the 17th with a chip and a putt.
After Joe Beck III three putted the 17th for a bogey, he stood in the 18th fairway and watched Termeer make what Beck III thought was a bogey. However, he had missed Termeer's explosion shot from a bunker into the water hazard across the 18th green. Termeer eventually made 7 on the difficult 18th hole, opening the door for Beck to win the individual title with this par putt on the 18th hole. Termeer overcame the disappointment of the moment and went on to win 2nd in a playoff over first round leader Major Monzingo.
Joe Beck III and Taylor Termeer received their individual medals.
The Lake Travis Girls captured 2nd place with solid efforts from Julia Beck, Courtney Ford, Emily Gillman, Lexie Hall and Kristen Miller. The team competition was close throughout the day but the perrenial powerhouse Montgomery Girls team captured the state title in the end. The Lake Travis Golf teams almost pulled off a sweep of the state titles in the 4-A category. They can certainly be proud of their year in golf.
The Austin golf community was also well represented by the City of Austin's Steve Hammond, head professional at the Jimmy Clay, Roy Kizer golf complex and all his staff. The tournament was well run and the course was in excellent shape. Way to go Steve and staff.