Along Murray Parkway, the Colts’ home course, Cottonwood golfer Tommy Yates probably knows where every rabbit hole is located. 

For Yates, there was no place like home Aug. 13. 

“Kicked off the season at Murray Parkway,” said Cottonwood head coach Bud Oettli. “Huge shoutout to Tommy Yates for a 2-under third-place finish, to Lucian Roumpos for a 3-over 75, and to Isaac Smith for his personal best round!”  

It was a great way for a veteran roster of Colts to swing into the season. Not only were those finishes solid from individual perspectives, as a team Cottonwood finished second with a 326-stroke average. 

In the Colts’ second tournament, however, the proverbial wheels fell off the golf cart Aug. 20 at Mountain Dell. 

Cottonwood did not have anyone finish in the top 12 on the Canyon Course. Highland finished in first in the team standings on their home links, and yet the big surprise of the tournament was that as a team Cottonwood finished in sixth place and Yates stroke average sat the senior in sixth, too. It was a far cry from the top finishes the Colts scored on their home links. 

The Colts were again on the road Aug. 26 for their third regular season tournament at Jordan’s home course, River Oaks in Sandy. Renowned due to its difficult, hilly landscape, they’re links the Colts have played on for several years and have some familiarity with. 

As a team, that helped Cottonwood finish in fifth place with a 325-stroke average. Individually, Yates cracked the top 12 for the second time this season, hitting a 73, and so that kept the senior in sixth place in the region individual standings. 

Next up: Meadowbrook, the site of some recent horrors for this Colts program. (Kidding! That is where Yates won his last individual title and shot a 66.) For one, it hugs the Jordan River and Murray’s home links. That made this tournament a rivalry—one that Oettli made no mistake was important. 

The other thing that the Colts did not expect, however, was a furry creature saying hello. 

“Four tournaments down and had our best team score of 315. We had three scores in the 70s from Tommy, Lucien and Ayden,” Oettli said. “We also took a contributing score from standout freshman Hank with an 82. Lastly, Ollie had his personal best score of 88 and met a fox on the course!” 

With summer turning to fall and several good performances in the pockets of their golf shorts from team and individual vantage points, Cottonwood headed to its next tournament at Bonneville Sept. 11. 

That’s where Yates showed his experience, even when several teammates were sick and not up to par. He finished in 10th place thanks to his 2-under on the back nine according Oettli—one that might remind you of someone who plays football. 

“Perfect timing for a fun day at Bonneville Golf Course. We battled through illness, injuries and much more but fought hard….We had a solid performance from Limhi and a big 88 from Isaac. Onto the next.”