Golf teams 'reloading'

As defending champs of the Class A state golf title, the Bulldogs boys' team will have a target on their backs all season. Not that they aren't use to it by now — Whitefish has won five titles in the past six seasons.

Yet, the climb to the top may be a little steeper this fall. Gone from the 2009 title team are three perennial anchors in Joel Mallams, Zach Maassen and Joe Blakemore.

"We lost three really good players," Bulldog coach Terry Nelson said about the graduating class.

Whitefish will look to seniors Carl Talsma, Dylan Parr and Missoula transfer Camp Kenyon to pick up the slack, along with junior Reed Platke, who's emerged as a juggernaut on the junior golf circuit.

"We're reloading, not necessarily rebuilding," Nelson explained. "We should be pretty good by the time state comes around."

Platke will likely play in the No. 1 slot. He won the individual Class A title last season with a three-shot victory over teammate Blakemore in the state tourney.

"He's probably one of, if not the best, Class A player in the state," Nelson said. "He's the anchor as player but also as a leader. The kid's got it all."

The coach also pointed to sophomore Kyle Barrons and freshman Arthur Doorn as players to keep an eye on.

Nelson is optimistic about the Lady Bulldogs squad, too, after a fifth place finish at state last season.

Kiley McConnell, Danielle McCully and Emma Dowaliby will lead the team as seniors. McConnell took fourth in the state tourney in 2009 and will be a team captain along with McCully.

Nelson mentioned that Klaire Taylor and freshman Erin Tabish, Simone Craft and Daley Powell would likely contribute to the varsity team.

"These girls will be competitive," Nelson said. He notes that Billings Central will be the team to beat since it has most of its powerful girls squad returning.

Both teams opened practice Aug. 12 with work on the driving range and a number of practice rounds to pinpoint areas that need improvement. Nelson said he'll tailor individual workouts soon to focus on areas where each player needs improvement.

Whitefish's first tourney was Monday at Anaconda and they play again Friday at East Glacier.

"We take each tourney as they come and don't look ahead," Nelson said. "Actually, we tend to look back at what we can improve. We rarely talk about winning and losing. We just want to make sure we play smart."