Laramie’s Carson Moniz Tries to Tame the Powder Horn [VIDEO]

The 2023 Class 4A Wyoming High School Golf State Championships are on Friday and Saturday in Sheridan.

Laramie High School is represented by sophomore Carson Moniz, who was the lone golfer to qualify after last weekend’s 4A West State Qualifier in Afton, WY.

Moniz shot rounds of 79 and 85 for a 164 total over the two days of the qualifier. That tied him for 17th place. Only golfers who finished inside the top 20 and are not on a top-four finishing team make the state championships.

KOWB’s David Settle spoke with Moniz at practice earlier this week. The conversation centered on making it to the state championships, how Carson felt he played last week, getting ready for the course at the Powder Horn, and more.

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Laramie head coach Carlos Mellizo admitted that just getting to state is a highly competitive process.

“What’s impressive is, and every year this is more and more clear, golf in Wyoming is a very competitive sport. We have a lot of guys that shoot in the low-to-mid 70s. On our team, we have some kids that are capable of living in the 70s, but not quite as consistently as we need in order to qualify (as a team).”

Mellizo added, they know the path they need to take and will push hard in the next year to try to make it happen.

He said of Moniz getting to the championship, “Just qualifying for state is an accomplishment, and as a sophomore, I’m very proud of him. Carson is working really, really hard on his game, and I’m really optimistic about the future for him.”

Golfers at the state championships will play the Stag and Eagle nines for their 18 holes at the Powder Horn Golf Club.

Mellizo knows how challenging the course will be.

“We played it (the course) in the spring, which was really helpful. I think the strategy there is to be conservative when you need to be conservative, and there are plenty of times when that’s the case. Also, there’s a couple of holes that are attackable, and to map out a strategy to do that. Pick your spots when you can be more aggressive. Some holes, you just need to be happy taking a bogey or a par, and you move on.”

Mellizo has a goal in mind and says, “I think Carson is motivated to go out and show people just how good of a player he is, and frankly, at his best, he’s a guy that can contend for a top-ten finish.”

The first round is on Friday, and the final round is on Saturday. That is 36 holes of medal play for the 4A state championship.