Bulldogs’ strong day two earns third at State
Billy Smith watches his putt roll into the cup on hole No. 16 at the Hamilton Golf Club during the second round of the Class A State Golf Tournament on Saturday. (Rob Zolman/Lake County Leader)
The Whitefish Boys Golf team finishes in third place at the State A Golf Tournament in Hamilton last weekend. (Rob Zolman/Lake County Leader)
The Class A State Golf Tournament was held last weekend at the Hamilton Country Club. The two-day event saw some of the best high school golfers square off. The Bulldogs took home third place.
Laurel was the team winner with a score of 604 and Polson took second with 611 while the Whitefish boys scored 618 for third. Bulldog Coach Tait Rocksund says it was a solid showing for the boys team.
“We needed to play our best both days in order to have a chance to beat Polson and Laurel,” Rocksund said. “We didn't play our best day one and if a team like Polson or Laurel has a lead, it's hard to catch up because they are very disciplined on the golf course.”
Despite a difficult first day, the team was impressive on day two and put up competitive numbers with five scores in the 70s.
“That doesn't happen too often in Montana high school golf,” said Rocksund. “It was great to see our seniors play to their potential on day two.”
Bulldogs Billy Smith, Johnny Nix and Matthew Peschel all finished in the top 15, thereby earning All-state honors. All three finished in ties, Smith for third, Nix for 10th and Peschel in 14th place.
The Polson girls team won with a score of 753. Hamilton took second place and Frenchtown finished third. Frenchtown’s Katie Lewis won individual top honors with an impressive 153.
“On the girl's side, Stella Jaffe played some of her best golf at state, which is great momentum going into next year,” said Rocksund. “She is close to 10 strokes better this year than last year and I expect her to continue to improve each year.”
Jaffe tied for 16th place in Class A. Jaffe is a sophomore this year and will be on the team next year alongside Leia Brennan. Coach Rocksund said he thinks next year’s girls team will have a chance to compete well at state.
Results:
Boys Teams: 1. Laurel 604 2. Polson 611 3. Whitefish 618 4. Livingston 622
Boys Individual: 1. Aubrey Kelley, Livingston, 138; 2. Carson Hupka, Polson, 142; T3. Cameron Hackmann, Laurel, 143 and T3. Billy Smith, Whitefish, 143; T10. Johnny Nix, 156; T14. Matthew Peschel, 159; T30 Tag Walker, 166
Girls Teams: 1. Polson 753, 2. Hamilton 773, 3. Frenchtown 788
Girls Individual: 1. Katie Lewis, Frenchtown, 153; 2. Karsyn Swigart, Miles City, 170; 3. Ashley Maki, Polson, 174; T16 Stella Jaffe, Whitefish, 194; 40. Leia Brennan, 221
