Boys golf team claims third state title in a row

The Thermopolis Bobcat Golf team came home on Saturday night from Kemmerer with yet another State Championship, giving them a three-peat on the links.

“That’s a wrap up on another terrific season,” coach Brandon Deromedi said. “These kids worked their tails off, not only during the season but throughout the spring and summer of 2020. The time and dedication to the fundamentals of the game are what make the championships a reality.”

The Cats were actually very lucky to even have a season this fall, much less a State Tournament with the onset of COVID-19 in the spring. It was unlike any other season with the COVID restrictions.

Deromedi said they were uncertain about having a season to begin with.

“Once we got clearance, we had new restrictions in place like screening before every practice and event, changes to bussing and practice policies, the removal of practice round and warm-ups,” he said. “The kids hung in there with all the new guidelines because they wanted a season.

“We competed hard against some very still competition in NW corner of Wyoming for the regular season. This prepared us for a difficult state tournament with some formidable competition.

“We faced adversity at the state tournament when our first round didn’t go as we had hoped. The kids buckled down and made every effort for a better day two, which they did.”

Deromedi said the second day’s weather was a struggle as well with low 50-degree weather, rain and wind chills in the high 30’s.

“The kids found a way through to clinch a third boys title in a row and four top-10/All State players.”

Maddie Stam, the lone Lady Bobcat on the team, placed third overall with a final, two-day score of 217.

On the boy’s side, Hardy Johnson placed first overall with a two-day total of 150 and younger brother Hadley Johnson placed fifth with a 185. Lee Grimm brought home 10th place, shooting a 197 for the two days, followed by Will Clark in 11th place with a 203. Seth Weyer placed 19th, with a 229 for the meet, rounding out the top 20 in the state.

“Golf is a sport where you have no one to lean on but yourself,” Deromedi said. “Your score is a testament to your abilities and really, to the time that you have dedicated to the game.

“Winning a championship in golf proves that our kids have out worked the competition and I am so proud of them for that.

“I want to thank our athletes for that time and dedication. I also want to thank the parents for their commitment and support of our program. I want to thank the community of Thermopolis for their support and especially the golf course board and staff for their patience and support of our program.

“It has been a community effort to get us to this point.”