Preps: Basalt golfers outshoot Skiers at home tourney; all practices underway

Just as Aspen did a day prior, the Basalt High School boys golf team defended its home grass on Tuesday by winning its own Longhorn Classic, played at River Valley Ranch in Carbondale.

The Longhorns shot a collective 3-over 219 to beat the runner-up Skiers by nine strokes. Summit was third (232), followed by Vail Christian in fourth (238), and Eagle Valley in fifth (241).

Individually, BHS junior Hudson Arnold won by being the only player in red, shooting 1-under 71. Aspen junior Oliver Pullis was second (1-over 73), while Basalt seniors Brady Luetke and Elijah Kelley, as well as AHS senior Houston Benvenuto, each shot 74 to all tie for third place.

BHS sophomore Parker Strelecki was sixth with 75, and in seventh was Vail Christian junior Sid Towle (76), who had won the Skier Invitational on Monday at Aspen Golf Club, shooting 74 that day. BHS junior Hagan Hamlet just missed the top 10, tying for 11^th overall with 78.

Also recording a top-20 finish were BHS sophomore Blair Didier (T13, 80), and AHS senior Leo Roennau (16^th, 81).

A handful of Aspen’s varsity players are scheduled to play in Denver-area tournaments on Wednesday and Thursday. BHS is tentatively set to play Friday at Devil’s Thumb in Delta.

Fall prep season has arrived

Monday marked the first official day of practice for fall sports across the state, with competitions set to get underway over the coming weeks.

Here are some (but not all) notable dates to keep in mind for later this month (some teams don’t begin play until September):

Aug. 21: AHS softball season opener at Basalt

Aug. 23: BHS football opens season at Arvada; BHS cross country hosts season opener at Crown Mountain Park; BHS boys soccer opens season at Crested Butte

Aug. 28: BHS volleyball opens season vs. Glenwood

Aug. 29: BHS football home opener vs. Evergreen; AHS football season opener at Grand Valley

Stay tuned for more from the beginning of the prep season.

acolbert@aspentimes.com