Monticello girls golf team wins state title

The Monticello girls golf team won the 2025 1A state golf meet with the girls placing four golfers in the top six at the state tournament.
The lady Buckaroos battled through less than ideal conditions at the Mountain View Golf Course in West Jordan on May 14. The afternoon rounds for the golfers finished in the rain; head Coach Nathan Chamberlain said the girls had to weather the storm.
"It was a lot of ups and downs, the girls emotionally and physically weathering the storm."
Monticello’s four scoring members carded 383 strokes to finish a combined 95 over par and finish 22 strokes better than second place Valley High.
Monticello’s Alli Young won the individual title at the state tournament by finishing the course in 90 strokes, Young was just three strokes ahead of teammate Alise Lewis who ended with 93 strokes in third place. Teammate LE Olson finished in 99 strokes to earn fifth place and Cambree Chamberlain shot a 101 to tie for sixth place.
Coach Chamberlain noted that illness, and some physical ailments hindered the girls but they persevered to win the title.
While the four best cards made up the team score Monticello had three other golfers who played well at the state tournament. Lillli Burton finished in 17th place shooting a 109, Jane Burton carded a 124 and Rebecca Chamberlain shot 140.
Monticello’s team was mostly made up of seniors with Young, Lewis, Cambree Chamberlain and Lilli Burton all graduating next week.
"It's been four years in the making," said Chamberlain. "That group of seniors we've been together for four years and trying to wrangle them emotionally and physically get their games where they need to be."
The group of girls were part of three trophy finishes for the Buckaroos as they won the schools first girls golf state title as sophomores in 2023, finished 2nd in 2024 and once again found themselves on top of the 1A golf ranks as seniors.
"Through ups and downs, its amazing how well they've progressed on their golf games," Chamberlain added the girls golf games have matured over time. "They've become leaders and help the younger kids. We're competitive and want to do good, but these older girls really do help the younger ones and its fun to watch."
Young found herself on top of the individual tournament off an impressive streak paring 10 of 18 holes including seven straight pars from hole four to hole 10.
Lewis also carded five pars, while Olson recorded three and Cambree Chamberlain one.
Young led the way in the tournament on the front nine carding six strokes over par while Lewis finished tied for third shooting eleven over par.
Cambree Chamberlain had an impressive back nine leading the field finishing 10 over par, Lewis was second on the back nine finishing 11 over par while Young finished 12 over par.
The state championship was a cherry on top of a great season for the Monticello girls golf team who was the top ranked team. Monticello’s season average of 381 strokes was not only fifty strokes better than any other 1A team but was also 12 strokes higher than any team in the 2A division and a top six average in the 3A ranks. Monticello also had four of the top five average scorers throughout the season.
The Monticello boys golf team finished in third place at their two-day state 1A golf meet also taking place at the Mountain View Golf Course in West Jordan.
The Buckaroos were led by Traken Lee who finished in second place shooting 160 strokes over two days just one stroke behind the champion from Panguitch.
Coach Chamberlain said he was proud of Lee's effort as he lead the team.
"Traken had a rough start on day one, but to be four strokes back out of the lead after day one and to set goals and move forward after day one. I enjoyed watching him not get frustrated and just persevere and play his game and not worry about everything going on around and him and do what Traken can do. In golf you have to play your game you can't beat somebody you just have to beat the course. He gained three strokes, that was encouraging to see him come back."
Jackson Keyes shot 173 over the two days to finish tied for 13th, Kooper Nielson shot 178 to finish tied for 20th, and Ryan Holt shot a 188 to tie for 27th and round out Monticello’s team score. Just three strokes behind was Canyon Christensen, as well as John Leber who rounded out the Monticello team.
Lee was Mr. Consistency leading the field with 20 pars over the two days including a five hole streak in his first round from hole 13 to 17, Nielson also had a five hole par streak holes one through five on the second day and Keyes had a four-hole par streak holes seven to 10 on day one. Keyes had two birdies at the tournament while Lee and Holt each had one.
Coach Chamberlain noted
"It's been a fun ride. Coaches Mike Holyoak and Shane Brewer the time and effort they put in, it's really the three coaches that help with everybody." Chamberlain also noted community support with Doug Mclaughlin's use of golf simulators and Hideout golf pro Jeff Simon "Monticello city, the community helps us play how we do. it's a community effort to get where we are and there's a lot of community support for the golf program."