Whitefish golfers win state

The boys golf team at White-fish High School capped another great season with the state's top prize of another championship — the fifth state title in the last six years, maintaining the Bulldog golf tradition.

The boys were a dominant 40-plus shots ahead of a talented second-place Hamilton squad.

Reed Platke became the first sophomore medallist at a state tournament and claimed a three-shot victory over teammate Joe Blakemore, who finished second.

"Reed is a very consistent player and doesn't allow distractions or bad shots to affect his game," coach Terry Nelson said. "He started his final nine-hole round with three straight bogies and then rallied to shoot an impressive 37 to easily win the title."

Nelson noted that Platke was second by a shot last year, so he was determined not to let it slip away this year.

Blakemore came from the fourth spot as a senior in his first state tournament to capture second place at this year's state tournament.

"Joe is also an unflappable player who knows what it takes to get the job done," Nelson said. "He gets it."

Zach Maassen, another senior on the team, finished fourth with a great first round of 77 that had him in second place, one shot behind Platke.

"Zach had some really tough breaks on both days in an otherwise exceptional tournament," Nelson said.

Joel Mallams played a steady, but somewhat disappointing tournament, with rounds of 82 on day one and 39 on the second day to finish sixth overall.

"All of the senior boys have had an excellent season, and their golf careers are very bright going forward," Nelson said.

Dylan Parr came back on day two with a 42 over the front nine of the South Course, which was actually one of the top rounds of the day.

The less than favorable weather conditions made for generally higher than normal scores, but the Whitefish boys were able to play through the conditions and capture another state title, making a total of 13 for the Bulldog boys' long history with competitive golf.

Nelson said he couldn't be prouder of fantastic team for the season they've had and to blow away the field at the state championship.

Kiley McConnell led the Lady Bulldog golf team to a fifth-place finish at the Class A State Tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday.

McConnell finished in fourth after a good round of 83 on day one of the tournament.

"Kiley is a fierce competitor and expects to finish at the top of every tournament," coach Terry Nelson said. "She's had a good season winning five individual titles along the way."

BreAnna Cameron got off to a bad start on the first day but rallied to finish sixth in the field at the 2009 State Tournament.

"BreAnna developed the hooks on day one and struggled through her first 14 holes on day one at 17 over par," Nelson said.

Once she corrected the slight swing flaw, Cameron finished her first 18 holes going 3, 3, 4, 4 for a respectable 90 on the tough South Course.

"BreAnna was second at state in 2008 and had the goal of winning this year, but a torn ACL hampered her return to top form until late in the season," Nelson said. "Some smart college coach is going to see the potential in BreAnna's game and recruit her. It's been a long time since we've had anyone hit the ball as solid as she can".

This year's tournament was originally scheduled to be played at Village Greens in Kalispell, but unseasonable weather and three inches of snow forced the venue to Whitefish Lake Golf Course.

Whitefish was the host school, but the team didn't expect to be playing on the South Course at home.

Playing on the slightly frozen course is not very good for the golf course, but it's good for the game of golf overall. The visiting teams were most appreciative of the Whitefish course for stepping up to run the tournament given the short notice and switch in venues.

Had the flu bug not hit Danielle McCully, keeping her from playing, and also affecting Tayler Johnson, the girls would unquestionably have been contenders for the top spot at state.

"If the weather had cooperated and both of these two had been able to play at top form, the girls would have challenged winner Billings Central," Nelson said.

Emma Dowaliby and Klaire Taylor played pretty well for the Lady Bulldogs in their first state tournament experience. Dowaliby posted a closing 57 on the last day to help her team move slightly up the ladder. Taylor had some difficulty with tee shots that adversely affected her final score, but she had a good season in her sophomore year.

The girls return four good players to next year and should be a factor once again going into the season.