WHS golf teams repeat as divisional champs
Both of Whitefish’s golf teams defended their divisional titles during a windy round at the Western A tournament Saturday at Fairmont Hot Springs.
The Bulldog boys fended off a strong Hamilton team by a single stroke to earn the trophy, while the girls cruised to an easy team victory. With the divisional sweep, both the boys and girls teams qualified for the Class A state tournament this week at Sindey.
“It’s nice to get a repeat on both sides,” said Whitefish coach Tim Olson.
“The girls went down there as favorites and we responded quite well, as they have all season. The guys went down there as underdogs and gutted it out.”
Joey Walp carded an 81 to lead the Bulldogs to the victory. His score was just one shot off the winner’s pace.
Jack Kahle finished with an 85 and Cole Ashby tallied an 89 to finish in the top-10, as well. Cole Turgeon came in with a 91 to help lift the Dogs.
Winds were gusting up to 30 miles per hour, so Olson knew some of the scores would be on the higher side.
“The kids had to grind,” Olson said. “When the scores were going up on the board, we were all adding them up as quickly as we could.”
Edging out the defending state champs from Hamilton provides a big boost for the Dogs heading into state action.
“The kids have come a long way this season,” Olson said. “We’ve been waiting for it to click and it really did last week. The four seniors stepped up for us.”
Led by champion Coral Schulz, the Lady Dogs easily won the girls title by a 57-stroke margin over second-place Frenchtown.
Schulz went low with a 77 on the day to defend her divisional crown. She is a favorite going into next week’s Class A tournament.
“A score of 77 in those conditions is tremendous,” Olson said. “She’s just a solid player — so patient and smart. She lets the game come to her and doesn’t get rattled.”
Katie Fyall carded an 88 to place third overall.
“Katie has matured so much as a golfer,” Olson said. “Taking third place really gets her fired up for this week knowing she’s a top-five golfer in state.”
Holly Hileman (92), Hayley Hileman (115) and Paige Sproul (125) each finished in the top of the field.
The Lady Dogs will be in the mix for a Class A title, along with Laurel and Billings Central, Olson said.
“Our girls will be tough to beat,” he added.
The boys will see tough competition from Billings Central, Havre and Hamilton.
Olson expects his players to be ready for any kind of weather.
“It’s October in Montana,” he said.
Western A tournament
Fairmont Hot Springs
GIRLS
Team Totals
Whitefish 372, Frenchtown 429, Dillon 466, Hamilton 482.
Top 26
Coral Schulz, Whi, 77; Tricia Joyce, BC, 86; Katie Fyall, Whi, 88; Dani Flynn, Fre, 92; Holly Hileman, Whi, 92; Sydni Rose, Ham, 95; Rachael Nye, Dil, 102; Melissa Kimp, Ham, 104; Ashlyn Stenerson, Fre, 112; Courtney Ockler, Fre, 112; Jamie McNally, Fre, 113; Hayley Hileman, Whi, 115; Amber Sitz, Dil, 117; Kiyara McCue, Pol, 119; Lindsey Huber, Dil, 122; Makaila Marsh, Dil, 125; Liz Roberts, Ham, 125; Paige Sproul, Whi, 125; Madelin Servoss, Ste, 125; Ali Gould, CF, 131; Shea Lefebvre, CF, 132; Kerry Lanners, CF, 135; Kelsy Truman, Dil, 138; Amanda Farley, Pol, 141; Emily Davis, Pol, 144; Haile Spear, Ham, 158; Maddie Mora, Ham, WD.
BOYS
Team Totals
Whitefish 346, Hamilton 347, Polson 352, Columbia Falls 382, Butte Central 384, Stevensville 402, Dillon 426, Frenchtown 474.
Top 30
Tyge Yelenich, BC, 80*; Josh Heath, Ham, 80; Max Toenjes, Ham, 81; Joey Walp, Whi, 81; Carson McDaniel, Pol, 83; Curtis Capdeville, Pol, 84; Jack Kahle, Whi, 85; Gabe Love, CF, 88; Baline Wetzsteon, Ham, 89; Cole Ashby, Whi, 89; Cole Turgeon, Whi, 91; Zel Frost, Ste, 92; Jayce Painter, Ste, 92; Colin Kenney, Pol, 92; Matt Hobbs, Pol, 93; Derek Wolff, Fre, 93; Brendan Buls, Whi, 94; Noah McDOnald, Pol, 94; Logan Lybbert, CF, 94; Ky Burch, Ham, 97; LJ Panasuk, CF, 97; Tyler Kump, BC, 97; Nate Lemieux, Dil, 101; Cannon Hawkes, Ham, 102; Gunnar Maisch, Dil, 103; Sam Joyce, BC, 103; Logan Peck, CF, 103; Bryan Arnold, B