Polson, Whitefish state golf favorites
It's going to take a Texas-sized effort for anyone to dethrone the Whitefish High School boys golf squad this week.
The Bulldogs enter the Class A state tournament as the odds-on favorite to make it two straight. WHS is also working on back-to-back perfect seasons.
"On paper, we have to be considered a strong favorite," said WHS coach Terry Nelson.
"With a team average of 295, that's pretty tough to beat."
It's just the opposite, however, regarding the girls state action. Two teams are expected to slug it out for the title.
Polson and Whitefish are the favorites and the Pirates come in having beaten the Bulldogs
three-straight times out of the four meetings.
"When it's close competition, it's hard to keep winning," said Nelson of the Pirates taking the last three.
"Sooner or later, the tables turn back."
And Nelson hopes that will happen at state.
The Whitefish girls own 15 state championships with the last one coming in 1999.
Polson has never won a girls state title, but has been runner-up the last two years.
"It's a good, healthy one," said Polson coach Bill Owen of the rivalry between the two schools.
"They're pretty good friends with the Whitefish girls, but when they go play them, they are pretty serious."
The other team to watch out for is Miles City.
State play begins Thursday at 9 a.m. at Whitefish Lake Golf Club. The actions winds up Friday.
The boys will play the North Course both days and the girls the South Course.
The Whitefish boys have scored under 300 in tournament play an amazing 10 times thus far.
"I think it's the combination of tournament experience, competition between each other, dedication to the game and love of the game, too," said Nelson.
"It's been a great year."
One of the highlights, according to Nelson, was watching four of his players break 70 during the season.
"In 24 years I've had probably only four golfers shoot in the 60s," said Nelson.
"This year I had Tyler Holtet (64 at Village Greens Golf Course), Derek Denning (69 at Missoula), Matt Krause (68 in Missoula) and Sam Krause (68 at Eagle Bend Golf Club and 69 at Village Greens)."
Those four will again lead the Bulldogs along with Chris Conners. Zac Wooten is the team's alternate.
"Zac is one of the Top 10 players in the state," said Nelson.
"Unfortunately, he won't get to play."
Andre Groshupf is another quality player on a very deep Bulldog roster.
"They're both really good players," said Nelson.
"Unfortunately there is no way for them to get to play at state. I'd like to see that changed. I'd like to see kids like that (get a chance to) compete for Top10 honors at state."
Whitefish's state lineup is based on a season-long points system. Players earn points for winning a tournament, being the No. 1 player on the team, etc.
Nelson says Billings Central has three players back from last year's second-place showing at state and could challenge along with Havre.
In terms of medalist play, you can count on all five WHS boys being in the hunt. They have all claimed individual titles during the course of the regular season.
Holtet has won the last three.
A couple more names to watch for are Rod Fuft of Billings Central, William Foust and Josh Grenier, both of Ronan, Jim Mee of Libby, Nate Roessman of Bigfork and Sean Strand and Anthony Writzberger, both of Havre.
The Polson girls return their entire team from last year, which is led by Jen Orchard, the defending state champion.
Orchard, Sami Beaver and Kristine Samsel have all been pushing to be the team's top player.
Stephanie Rowold and Whitney Pitts round out the Pirates' state lineup.
"One of the obvious things is experience," said Owen of his squad.
"Three girls (Orchard, Beaver and Samsel) have been on the state tournament team the last three years."
Maresa Jenson has been the medalist for Whitefish four times this fall.
Chelsey Ray won at Missoula.
Alex Micklewright, Quinn Micklewright and Porsche Erekson complete the WHS state line. Hillary Johann is the alternate.
"It will be an interesting battle," said Nelson.
"You win the championship with your No. 4-5 players.
Everyone has a decent one or two players."
On the individual front, Jenson, Ray, Alex Micklewright, Orchard, Samsel, Beaver, Brittany Hedge of Miles City, Rose Stepanek of Billings Central and
Teri Rebo of Libby are the major contenders.
Miles City won last year's girls state championship.