SUNSET GOLF: Meeks shoots 4-under, helps Panthers to opening-round lead

A gust of wind blew through the hills — one of the few on an otherwise calm Tuesday — and knocked down Cameron Meeks’ tee shot on his 17th hole, leaving a tough up-and-down for par that he was unable to convert.

That turned out to be the lone blemish on the Palo Verde junior’s scorecard.

Meeks shot 4-under-par 68 on a day when many of the area’s top players struggled at Badlands Golf Club and owns a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Division I Sunset Region boys golf tournament.

“I felt like I kept the ball in position well,” Meeks said. “I got a lot of looks at birdie, and I got a couple to fall. Good round.”

Defending region champion Jack Trent of Palo Verde fired a 71 and was the only other Division I player to break par on the Diablo and Outlaw courses, which played a hefty 6,863 yards.

The Panthers posted a 13-over 373 as a team and will have the lead heading into today’s final round at Primm Valley Golf Club’s Lakes Course. Bishop Gorman is second at 408 followed by Arbor View (412).

The top two teams and the top five individuals from nonqualifying teams advance to the Division I state tournament, which opens Tuesday at Reflection Bay Golf Club.

“We didn’t get off to a good start, but I’m glad to see them settle in and manage the courses as best they could,” Palo Verde coach Todd Steffenhagen said. “It’s was a pretty balanced performance.”

Meeks had three birdies on the front nine (Diablo) and drained tricky par putts on his 13th and 15th holes. He then birdied two of the final three holes on the Outlaw course, including the par-5 finishing hole.

“My driver was rolling out, a little (farther) than sometimes I wanted, but on a couple of those holes I had short clubs in because of it,” Meeks said. “I’m happy to have this round today, but I know there’s still more golf to be played in this tournament.”

Palo Verde’s Jun Oshimoto birdied three of his final six holes for a 3-over 75 and is tied for third with Arbor View’s Hazen Newman. Cameron Barzekoff of Palo Verde shot 76, as the Panthers placed four golfers in the top five.

Shadow Ridge’s Tanner Johnson recovered after taking a 10 on the par-4 ninth hole and finished at 5-over 77.