Cactus Shadows, Arcadia claim state Div. II golf crowns

The Phoenix Arcadia boys and Cave Creek Cactus Shadows girls won Arizona Interscholastic Association state golf championships in Division II on Tuesday.

The critical moment of the tournament came not from a knee-knocking putt but from a northbound storm cell.

The harsh winds and loud claps of thunder sent officials from the AIA into the east room of the clubhouse at the Omni Tucson National Golf Course. There, they decided to call the tournament and only count the scores from Monday.

The resolution secured a one-stroke win for the Arcadia boys team and 13-stroke win for the Cactus Shadows girls.

Tucker Clark of Arcadia and Mackenzie McRee of Tucson Salpointe Catholic won the individual championships.

"It was kind of a bummer that we only got to play 18 holes, but to win was awesome to say the least," said Clark, who shot a 6-under-par 64 on Monday.

According to tournament director Dean Visser, the AIA decided to not to reschedule the second day because of travel difficulties, expenses and its prearranged agreement with the Omni Tucson National, which will also host the Division I tournament next week before its big commercial season picks up.

The AIA's move to crown state champions after one round comes with precedence. The same thing happened in 2016, during the girls' state tournament. A storm came in and Phoenix Xavier was declared the winner of the Division I title after just one round.

Visser said that the coaches were told before the tournament that this is what would happen if bad weather struck.