Antelope Invite to host elite field

The real proof of the first-ever Antelope Invite's success for the Rams awaits down the road at the 1A/ 2A golf championships, but this weekend's 36-hole tournament at The Links at Coyote Wash should at least provide some insight to who the frontrunners will be at state.

"We're real happy about the quality of teams coming in," Antelope coach Allen Hill said of the 13 schools that will play in the event. "Three of the top four from last year's state tournament will be here."

In addition to four of Antelope's regional teams that includes Yuma Catholic, there will also be four teams from the Phoenix metro area and four from California. Like the Rams, Friday and Saturday will be the first time this year for most of the schools to play in a two-day tournament.

"We want our kids to understand what it's like so mentally and physically they'll be ready for state," Hill said. "But for us, the bigger issue is that no one touched a club last week. Every one of them was showing something involved in some way at the Yuma County Fair, so hopefully there's not too much rust there."

Antelope will have the home-course advantage in its favor however. Hill said Coyote Wash head pro John Bass and others associated with The Links have been a "dream" helping with the course setup and tournament organization.

Play begins at 2 p.m. on Friday. Saturday's tee times will be based on first-round scores, the high scorers heading out a 8 a.m. and the leaders around 10 a.m.