Girls bring home State A golf title
The Lady Bulldogs set the tone on day 1 of the State A tournament in Sidney. Day 2 they closed the deal with a performance that left no doubt about which collection of golfers is the best in the state.
The Whitefish girls coasted to the team title with a 720 total. Sidney was second, but still 39 shots behind the Bulldogs.
Whitefish senior Coral Schulz defended her title with a wire-to-wire performance. She finished the 36-hole event shooting 76-80—156, which was five shots ahead of Tricia Joyce of Butte Central, 82-79—161.
“When you’re the favorite you tend to get a bullseye on your back,” Whitefish coach Tim Olson said. “We wanted to establish on day 1 that we were there to win it. Then we just put an exclamation mark on it day 2.”
Senior Katie Fyall posted scores of 86-84—170 to finish third for Whitefish.
“Our two seniors girls showed great leadership,” Olson said. “Katie had a great tournament and Coral defended her title in a dominating fashion.”
Sisters Hayley Hileman, 94-103 — 197, and Holly Hileman, 97-100 — 197, tied for 14th.
“It was a great tournament for both of them and we’re excited to have them back next year,” Olson said.
Paige Sproul went 120-120 for 240 total.
Olson said the team set the goal early on to chase another state title.
“They worked hard and wanted that back-to-back title,” he said.
“It’s difficult to repeat. Their preparation paid off.”
The boys team made an impressive rally to bing home the third place trophy.
They were in sixth place after day 1.
“They didn’t perform as they thought they should have,” Olson said. “But the four seniors took it upon themselves on day 2. The seniors composure really showed at the end.”
Cole Turgeon, 82-84—166 and Joey Walp, 85-81—166, tied for 10th for Whitefish’s best showing in individual play.
Jack Kahle posted a 174, Brendan Buls a 175 and Cole Ashby a 185 to round out the team scoring.
Whitefish placed third as a team with a 679 score. Billings Central, 650, was first and Hamilton, 662, second.
“If you would have asked these boys at the beginning of the season if they would take third at state, I don’t think any of them would have believed it,” Olson said.
Conditions were favorable all weekend with rain, wind and temperatures in the 40s.
“They bundled up and I think we were just mentally tougher than the other teams,” Olson said.
Class A State golf at Sidney Country Club
GIRLS
Team Totals
1. Whitefish 353-367 -- 720, 2. Sidney 377-382 -- 759, 3. Frenchtown 406-407 -- 813, 4. Laurel 413-417 -- 830, 5. Lewistown 423-429 -- 852, 6. Browning 436-429 -- 865, 7, Billings Central 430-438 -- 868, 8. Havre 443-443 -- 886, 9. Hamilton 472-478 -- 950, 10. Dillon 473-485 -- 958.
Whitefish (353-367 -- 720): Coral Schulz 76-80 -- 156, Katie Fyal 86-84 -- 170, Hayley Hileman 94-103 -- 197, Holly Hileman 97-100 -- 197, Paige Sproul 120-120 -- 240
Top 15 Individuals (All-State
Coral Schulz, Whitefish, 76-80 -- 156; Tricia Joyce, Butte Central, 82-79 -- 161; Katie Fyall, Whitefish, 86-84 -- 170; Morgan O’Neil, Laurel, 87-84 -- 171; Summer Kennerly, Browning, 91-87 -- 178; Sydni Rose, Hamilton, 89-91 -- 180; Tierney Messmer, Sidney, 92-90 -- 182; Kaelyn Volk, Sidney, 92-91 -- 183; Shaelyn Bowlds, Sidney, 89-95 -- 184; Dani Flynn, Frenchtown, 91-94 -- 185; Kinsey Irvin, Lewistown, 94-94 -- 188; Breilyn Riggins, Glendive, 92-96 -- 188; Sophia Mascarena, Billings Central, 92-97 -- 189; Hayley Hileman, Whitefish, 94-103 -- 197; Holly Hileman, Whitefish, 97-100 -- 197.
BOYS
Team Totals
1. Billings Central 315-335 -- 650, 2. Hamilton 333-329 -- 662, 3. Whitefish 343-336 -- 679, 4, Havre 341-340 -- 681, 5, Laurel 343-351 -- 694, 6, Livingston 341-359 -- 700, 7. Polson 347-354 -- 701, 8. Columbia Falls 401-387 -- 788.
Whitefish (343-336 -- 679): Cole Turgeon 82-84 -- 166, Joey Walp 85-81 -- 166, Jack Kahle 90-84 -- 174, Brendan Buls 88-87 -- 175, Cole Ashby 88-97 -- 185.
Top 15 Individuals (All-State)
Liam Clancy, BC, 75-74 -- 149; Max Toenes, Hamilton 78-76 -- 154; Tyrell Walter, Lewistown, 77-83 -- 160; Chase Morehouse, Sidney, 82-80 -- 162; Josh Heath, Hamilton, 80-83 -- 163; Deven Doughty, Miles City, 81-84 -- 165; Dustin Haas, Havre, 80-85 -- 165; Paul O’Neil, Laurel, 83-82 -- 165; Winston Oppelt, Livingston, 79-86 -- 165; Luke Beenken, Sidney, 83-83 -- 166; Jackson Boos, BC, 79-87 -- 166; Cole Turgeon, Whitefish, 82-84 -- 166; Joey Walp, Whitefish, 85-81 -- 166; Blaine Wetzsteon, Hamilton, 85-81 -- 166; Carson McDaniel, Polson, 79-88 -- 167.