It’s been an excellent season for Washington Demon junior golfer Roman Roth, and he’ll get take a swing at the state’s biggest stage when he plays in the first round of the Class 3A championships today at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames.

Roth has the lowest total number of strokes for any Washington player this season, but he’s been at his best in big tournaments. In seven 18-hole tournaments, Roth has averaged a score of 73.7 and has come away with six victories. That includes the sectional and district championships he won over the last two weeks to get to state. Roth followed up a four-over 76 on his home course by going to Pella for districts and firing an even-par 72, including being one-under on the back nine holes. Roth tells KCII Sports he likes playing in bigger events.

“I really like 18 holes a lot better than nine holes,” Roth says. “I feel I can get locked in a little more and really helps me get more confident.”

Roth has gone as low as a two-under 70 twice on 18 holes this season, and will hope for similar success in both rounds he plays in Ames today and tomorrow. Last season, Roth finished tied for seventh at the 3A state tournament, shooting 16 over total for the tournament but posting a four-over 76 in his final 18. He’ll look to duplicate that number or go even lower when he tees off just past noon today.