Woodland Park didn’t win the 4A Metro League crown in boys’ golf. The Panthers did, however, finish second to Mesa Ridge, a big accomplishment on a team with no seniors.

There is one more chance for Woodland Park to show its stuff, and it’s the most important one of all when the town’s Shining Mountain Golf Course plays host to the 4A Southern Regional with team and individual state berths on the line at 9 a.m. Monday.

“We have a comfort level here that we don’t have anywhere else, and we know this course like the back of our hands,” Panthers junior Sam Levy said. “It’s been my goal since my freshman year to make state. I hope I can get that done on a course I know well.”

Regional events, which will take place on 12 courses across the state from Monday through Tuesday – four in each class – will determine the teams and individuals who will qualify for the state tournaments Oct. 5-6 in Fort Collins (5A), Longmont (4A) and Eagle (3A).

What makes the 4A Southern Regional compelling is the fact that Shining Mountain less than a week ago hosted its annual event, the Panther Invitational, where 22 schools, many of them in Monday’s 4A field, got a chance to play the course.

But there will be differences, other than the obvious pin placements. Just in the past handful of days, the late stretch of above-average temperatures, coupled with no moisture, have drastically changed the integrity of the course, already known for its tight fairways.

“The dry weather has changed the course,” Panthers coach Brian Gustafson said. “The greens are hard and fast.”

On Sept. 15, the Mesa Ridge tandem of Braden Bentley (1-under-par 69) and Logan Gorman (78) finished first and third, respectively, to cap the 4A league team title, while 4A Pikes Peak Athletic Conference champs Discovery Canyon took overall team honors.

Bentley and Gorman also took the top two places in the overall standings during 4A CMSL play, while Levy finished third.

Woodland Park had three of its golfers finish in the top 10 of the final CSML standings, something accomplished by no other squad.

And they’re all coming back next season.

“This is good for the younger guys,” said Levy, whose younger brother, Lou, will make his regional debut as a freshman.