6A state golf: BYU-bound Long puts 6A Lone Peak back on top

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WEST VALLEY — The list of accolades accomplished by Lone Peak golfer Berlin Long is as expansive as they come in high school girls golf.

But one thing has always slipped through her fingertips: an official Utah high school individual state title.

With one last chance to prove herself among the best in the state, Long wasn't about to let anyone stand in her way of medalist honors — not even her own family.

The BYU signee shot 2-over-par 74 to card a two-day total of even-par 144 to lead Lone Peak's girls golf team to its third title in the past four seasons with a 59-stroke win Tuesday at Stonebridge Golf Course.

The Knights shot a team total of 624 to blow by second-place Herriman (683) and Davis (687) — the reigning 6A champions that edged Lone Peak by one stroke at last year's state meet. That loss — both on the team and individual side — stuck with Long and the Knights all year.

"We lost one stroke as a team, and I lost one stroke as an individual," she said. "Obviously it wasn't all on me, but I knew that if I had won that individual title, we'd win as a team, as well. It was really hard.

"Our motto all year was 'one stroke,' and how much that can change around. It was a big motivator, and I'm happy to get it done."

The biggest question mark was to see who would take individual medalist honors — nothing a little sisterly competition couldn't handle. Long's surname may have been all-but inscribed on top honors after taking a six-stroke lead on (most of) the field after Monday's opening round, but her first name wasn't.

Lone Peak High School (+48) is the 2022 Girls 6A State Champions!
Lone Peak Senior Berlin Long (-1) wins Medalist honors!

Herriman (+107) finishes 2nd!
Results: https://t.co/kQWVN1AJAy #utahpga #utahgolf #uhsaa pic.twitter.com/geqUlLBsO2
— Utah Section PGA (@UtahSectionPGA) May 10, 2022

Aadyn Long, a freshman, and her older sister both shot 2-under 70 in the opening 18 holes, with the younger Long carding a tournament-high seven birdies to get there. But Aadyn Long carded a pair of bogeys in the first three holes Tuesday to slip back to even-par, and older sister Berlin added back-to-back birdies on holes No. 5 and 6 to extend her lead.

Berlin Long gave back the lead with a four holes over par, most notably a double bogey on the par-5 eighth hole. But it proved to be just enough to hold off younger sister Aadyn and defending medalist Millie Terrion of Herriman, who placed third, for the title.

"She'll probably be better than me," Berlin Long said of her sister. "She's so solid, and doesn't miss a lot. I love watching her play, and I love being able to play with her. She's going to be really good."

Berlin Long's individual title is officially the first of her high school career, but in some ways, the second. She captured medalist honors at the Utah Section PGA state meet in 2020, when the UHSAA cancelled spring championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The section that runs the UHSAA state championships may record it as a win, but that state meet will forever remain vacated in the record book.

"In 2020, I consider it a win — but it wasn't an official championship," Long said. "To be able to get it this year after last year's tough loss feels really good."

But finishing with this individual title was the perfect ending to an otherwise powerhouse high school career, one that also includes the freshman competitive women's course record at Soldier Hollow, a scorching 10-under 62 at the Utah Section PGA's Junior PGA Championship that led to a berth in the Junior PGA Championship in 2019, and national finalist honors at the Augusta National Drive, Chip and Putt competition in 2015.

And Tuesday's individual and team title? The perfect way to cap off a high school career.

"No better way. I'm really excited for what's coming up," she said. "This is the only year I'll be able to play together with my sister, and she's my best friend. I'm happy we were able to play together — and to get the win."

Team scores

Full results here.

Lone Peak 624, Herriman 683, Davis 687, Corner Canyon 692, Fremont 705, Riverton 724, Farmington 742, Weber 742, Pleasant Grove 788, American Fork 789