Bulldog boys golf shoots nearly 300 in two tournaments
The Polson Pirates are becoming a familiar foe for Whitefish among the top-placing teams in recent golf tournaments.
Last week the boys golf team won over the Pirates in Corvallis by six strokes to take first in the tournament, but then came up just one shot over Polson at the Frenchtown Invite to take second on Thursday.
Whitefish junior Johnny Nix continued his winning ways in Corvallis on Monday, Aug. 30. He scored 70 to take the medalist honors.
“Johnny Nix has won three golf tournaments this year and is getting comfortable playing with a lead and winning,” Golf head coach Tait Rocksund said. “His ball striking combined with his distance off the tee has put Johnny in position to consistently win this year.”
Polson’s Hunter Emerson snuck in for second place in the tournament above Bulldog Riley Brown who shot a 75 for third place.
“Riley Brown might be our most improved player this season to date,” Rocksund said. “His ball striking is very consistent and has a knack for finding the bottom of the cup when it counts.”
Brown also did well in the Frenchtown Invitational scoring a 77 to take fifth place overall.
Whitefish’s Marcus Kilman came in above Brown for second place in the tournament with 73, as did Bjorn Olson scoring a 76.
“Both Bjorn and Riley are right near their personal bests with those scores and kept the focus going all day,” Rocksund expressed. “Marcus, a returning all-stater, took second behind his ball striking. Marcus racked up the greens and fairways in regulation to keep the pressure off his short game.”
The coach added that with the progress he sees from all three and the leadership Olson brings, the boys team is sure to continue its upward path as a whole.
Whitefish’s No. 1 golfer Billy Smith took it easy last week, getting some extra rest after playing in high-level tournaments not associated with high school golf. He is expected to return to business as usual this week.
For the Whitefish girls, Anyah Cripe continues to lead the team and show dominance on the course. In Corvallis she scored a 100, the fourth best score for the girls individual results of the day. And in Frenchtown she came up with a 98, another top score for Whitefish. Another returning golfer for Whitefish, Tallory Workman, put up a good score of 104 at the Frenchtown invite to be Whitefish’s No. 2 scorer.
“Anyah Cripe and Tallory Workman anchored our team…” Rocksund said. “Tallory had a great day driving the ball and can put up competitive numbers when her driver is on. Anyah can also get a significant advantage on the field with her driving length and accuracy, but her chipping and short game has improved notably since the start of the season.”
Rocksund added that all the golfers on the girls team are showing better scores each week and that should continue with more tournament experience.
“I can see the progress each week for the girls team with their chipping and putting,” he said. “Confidence is growing in the younger golfers.”
Whitefish was scheduled to host its home triangular against Flathead and Glacier on Tuesday after press time. Then the teams will travel to Libby on Friday and Polson on Monday.
Corvallis Invite
August 30
Boys
Team scores:
- Whitefish 302; 2. Polson 308; 3. Corvallis 368; Frenchtown no team score.
Whitefish scores:
- Johnny Nix 70
- Riley Brown 75
- Bjorn Olson 78
- Marcus Kilman 79
- Billy Smith 81
Girls
Whitefish scores
Anyah Cripe 100
Stella Jaffe 110
Macy Whisenand 113
Leia Brennan 116
Tallory Workman 122
Frenchtown Invite
Sept. 2
Boys
Team Scores
- Polson 304; 2. Whitefish 305; 3. Hamilton 327; 4. Dillon 365; 5. East Helena 375; 6. Ronan 379; 7. Frenchtown 379; 8. Columbia Falls 386; 9. Browning 443
Whitefish scores:
- Marcus Kilman 73
- Bjorn Olson 76
- Riley Brown 77
- Gates Gilman 79
- Mathew Peschel 82
Girls
Team Scores
- Polson 390; 2. Frenchtown 419; 3. Hamilton 425; 4. Whitefish 439
Whitefish scores:
- Anyah Cripe 98
- Tallory Workman 104
Stella Jaffe 113
Macy Whisenand 124
Leia Brennan 129