By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

High school fans, observers, players and coaches like to debate which regions are the toughest in various sports. In girls golf, there’s little question Region 7 featured the best teams in Class 5A, if not the entire state.

The Brighton Bengals know that all too well.

This season, the Bengals contended against talented Region 7 foes Timpview, Corner Canyon and Alta. Those three teams not only made things difficult on Brighton in the region standings, but they finished at the top of the leaderboard in the Class 5A state tournament, held May 7–8 at the Ridge Golf Course in West Valley City. 

Brighton was behind the trio, finishing fourth in 5A.

The Bengals totaled 723 points during the two-day affair. First-place Timpview shot a 651, followed by runner-up Corner Canyon and its 661. Third-place Alta was 11 shots better than Brighton with a 712. The Bengals were 13 shots ahead of fifth-place Skyline, the top squad from Region 6. 

The field was rich with skill and experience, but that was no surprise to Brighton players, who had competed against these squads during the regular season. Brighton’s top individual performer was Kayla Hoster. She finished in a tie for eighth overall by shooting a 162, hitting 81 on both days. She was just one shot out of sixth place. 

Madison McQuivey and Brooke Kahl finished just outside of the top 10, helping Brighton’s cause. McQuivey shot 84 on day one and 89 on day two for a total of 173. Kahl also shot a 173, hitting an impressive 77 on day one before falling back with a 96 on the second day on the course. Bailey Chamberlain, Emma Summerhays and Brayden Barlage also helped out as key members of the Bengals’ varsity squad. 

Not only did Brighton have to deal with some stellar opponents, but the weather wasn’t kind. Wind, rain and even snow made things difficult on the players. There were postponed and cancelled matches, not to mention challenges with practice times.