Yes. There is a pandemic still going on. Yes. It continued to be mighty hot on Monday (114 degrees). But golf is one sport that's wiggled its way through those impediments this summer to stay open and the first AIA sport to get its 2020 fall season going.

Matches were held across the Valley on this first day. Longbow Golf Club in Mesa hosted Red Mountain-Skyline. The more experienced and competitive players have learned to cope with the heat, never mind making all the shots required to be a top contender. At least one golfer in the Red Mountain-Skyline match had to bow out in the first hole with heat a factor.

When the final scores were posted, Red Mountain was on top led by Kailani Deedon. Deedon, a sophomore, shot a 1-under 34 for nine holes. She birdied the par 3 third hole and parred the rest. Deedon tied for 10th at the Division I state tournament last year in Tucson. Runner-up to Deedon was Mountain Lions' senior Sydney Bryan. Bryan shot 2-over 36 with two bogeys and the rest pars. Bryan tied for third at the D-I state tourney last year.

In other girls matches: 

A couple of close matches saw Hamilton (154) edge Perry (156). Perry's Malerie Nyberg and Malia Uyeshiro shot even-par 35. Nyberg battled back from a double-bogey on the first hole to finish even. Hamilton was paced by Madeline Adam (36) and Jennifer Seo (37).

Highland junior Lauren Basye's 1-under 35 took medalist honors in a match with Desert Vista at Foothills Golf Club. Highland (163) secured a one-shot triumph over Desert Vista (164), which was led by Hailey Bolander's even-par 36.

Boulder Creek's Julie Huggins shot even-par 36 at Anthem Golf and Country Club's Ironwood course for the top score and a team win over Chaparral. Corona del Sol bested Desert Ridge handily at Ken McDonald in Tempe. Medalist went to Corona del Sol's Caroline Formisano (40) while Desert Ridge was led by Vivianna Holguin (41).

Division II teams Notre Dame Prep and Paradise Valley squared off at Stonecreek Golf Club with Notre Dame Prep taking a 15-shot victory. Medalist honors went to Notre Dame Prep's Charlotte Kim (43). Paradise Valley's top performer was  Aden Davis (45).