Myers prepares for first state tourney

A week after qualifying for his first state meet, the excitement still hasn?t worn off for Washington sophomore Dalton Myers.

Starting Friday, he?ll be able to prove himself as one of the top golfers in the state.

?It?s been going well,? Myers said. ?I?ve been playing well and been out at the course and hitting the range a bit. I feel pretty good about it.?

Myers finished the district meet as the runner-up, earning an individual state berth to this year?s state golf tournament held in Livermore on Friday and Saturday. Since he?ll be playing with some of the best golfers in the state, Myers is hoping he can absorb everything this weekend.

?(I?m looking forward) to be able to play with other guys that I haven?t played with before from across the state,? Myers said. ?To watch what they do, anything can help.?

Myers? state berth comes on the heels of a strong sophomore season which saw him average just over a 42 per nine hole average according to the latest statistics.

His lowest nine-hole score of the year was a 36, while he carded an 80 during an 18-hole tournament this year as well.

With this being the biggest tournament of the season, he is expecting the atmosphere to be very different.

?I?m expecting something a little bit bigger than I?m used to,? Myers said. ?I?m not used to having big crowds and more people following me, so that will be a little bit different.?

While up there, Myers didn?t have specific placement goals, but said if he putts well, he knows he can finish very highly among the field.

With that being said, he understands that qualifying for the state meet as a sophomore will give him valuable experience.

?I want to gain experience,? Myers said. ?Since I have a couple of more years to be able to play, I think experience will be a big key, so I can be a leader on the team for next year and the year after.?

Myers will open the state meet at Spring Valley Golf Course in Livermore on Friday.