Iverson tourney tested

Kalispell golfer posts impressive rounds over the summer at the national level

Teenager Larry Iverson III had the perfect excuse for not having a summer job.

It's called golf.

"I tried it (golfing and working) last year," he said.

"I had to ask for all these days off (so I could play in golf tournaments). They (employers) weren't real happy with me. It didn't work out. I can't keep a stable job."

So this summer, it was all about golf. Nothing else. Seven days a week he could be found at one of the local golf courses working on his game.

And now with the summer nearly over, it looks like it was time well spent.

The 16-year-old from Kalispell competedin seven tournaments since early June, posting impressive results in all. More importantly, he caught the attention of a big-name coach at a Pac-10 university. So, could a college golf scholarship be in the offering in the near future?

We'll have to wait and see on that. But the prospects right now are looking mighty good.

Iverson made the cut at the prestigious Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego on July 16-17 at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Iverson competed in the 16-17 age bracket, which consisted of 180 players from 73 countries.

Iverson was 44th after 54 holes with the top 50 advancing to the final day. He says he is the first Montana player to make the cut in that event.

For his final round of 18, Iverson shot 74 to tie for 27th place.

"You had scouts following you all four days," he said.

"That was exciting."

One of the scouts watching Iverson was University of Arizona golf coach Rick LaRose. LaRose, who has a complete line of DVDs, videos and books, has led Arizona to 21 straight NCAA championship appearances.

"That's my dream," Iverson said of playing for the Wildcats.

"I've always been a big fan."

LaRose followed Iverson for 12 holes, watching him card an eagle at the sixth hole.

"I was 110 yards out," Iverson said.

"I knocked it in for an eagle. He thought that was pretty exciting.

"I was pumped. That started me. It ignited my play, got me rolling in the right direction.

"He's (LaRose) interested in me coming down to his camps next year," Iverson said.

"He wants to see more of me."

Iverson said he was even-par going into the last hole at Torrey Pines.

"There was water in front of the green," he said.

"I hit into the water."

That led to a disappointing double bogey.

"If I finish with a par (on that hole), I would have tied for 23rd," he said.

Iverson sold golf raffle tickets to raise the $4,000 he needed to play in the Junior World Golf Championship. Several generous corporate sponsors in the valley also came to his financial rescue.

Torrey Pines features a scenic layout along the cliffs which overlook the Pacific Ocean. That course will host the U.S. Open in 2008.

"It will be cool to watch it on TV (next year) and recognize the holes," Iverson said.

"It's an older golf course. It has a great layout."

Iverson qualified for that tournament by winning a qualifying event at Whitefish Lake Golf Club in early June. He shot 72.

Later that month, Iverson finished fourth in the Junior State Tournament in Bozeman, shooting 70-75-145. James Williams of Seeley Lake also shot 145, which forced the duo into a playoff, which went five holes.

Iverson won the playoff with a par to secure the fourth and final spot on the Montana team that competed in the Junior Boys America Cup at Morgan Run Golf and Resort in San Diego earlier this month. Jake Hedge of Billings, Brian Beach of Missoula and Jake Wilson of Hamilton were the other team members.

Iverson led the Montana contingent to a 14th place in the team standings.

He finished with a 2-under-par 69 for a 4-over 217 total. He opened with a 73, followed by a 75.

Hedge was next for the Montana squad at 223

Iverson finished 30th out of 68 players in individual play.

"Narrow fairways," Iverson said of Morgan Run.

"Get in the rough, your ball pretty much buries. You have a tough time getting out of that."

One adjustment he had to make was adapting from playing in high altitudes to that of sea level.

"Fifteen yards difference," he said in the length of his wood and iron shots.

"Like a club and half difference. It's tough to adapt to that."

Iverson just missed out on a trip the U.S. Junior Amateur Tournament in Augusta, Mo., losing in a qualifying tournament playoff in Bozeman to Jake Hedge of Billings West. Iverson shot 70-76-146 and Hedge also shot 146.

"First playoff hole, went into the water," he said.

"That was hard to take.

"Things in golf happen," he said.

"You just have to accept it and move on to the next tournament."

Which for Iverson, was the 4th of July Tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Course. He tied for second and had the low round for the 54-hole event, a 68.

Last week, he won the Flathead Junior Championships at Eagle Bend Golf Club in Bigfork. Competing in the 16-17 age division, he shot a 72, which was also the best score overall.

"Pretty solid so far," the junior at Glacier High School said of his overall game heading into the prep season.

"A big thanks to my swing coach Josh Gold. I work with him just about every night."

Iverson said his tournament experience this summer has boosted his confidence dramatically.

"Just playing in tournaments out of state, seeing that I'm able to keep up with them," he said.

"That makes me work harder."

Iverson also credits much of his success to his off-season workouts. He has been a regular in the weight room and also does flexibility drills.

"I had high expectations," Iverson said.

"You have to go into every tournament thinking you can win it. If you don't, you don't have that desire, you won't do well. That's how I went into every tournament this summer."