Dogs on top in state A golf play
The Daily Inter Lake
POLSON - Whitefish weathered the storm, so to speak, shrugging off a nasty wind and cold temperatures on Friday to top the boys standings at the Class A state golf tournament at Polson Bay Golf Club.
The Bulldogs, runners-up a year ago, had three individuals in the top four spots en route to a 312 team score. Billings Central is sitting second, 332, after the opening round.
"It got better (as the day went along)," Whitefish coach Terry Nelson said.
"Early, the wind was terrible. Then it got back to bearable, OK the rest of the day. It certainly affected scores and moved the ball a whole lot."
Reed Platke toughed it out and posted the best round, carding a 4-over 76.
"Just as steady as could be," Nelson said of the leader's performance.
"He shot 38-38. He had three birdies along the way."
One was on the par 3, ninth hole.
"He had a great (tee) shot," Nelson said.
"Put it within a foot (of the hole)."
The left him an easy tap-in.
Jeremy Jensen of Havre is second, one shot back.
Whitefish's Daniel Markus, 41-37-78, and Joel Mallams, 43-35-78, are tied for third place.
Teammate Zach Maassen is tied for fifth with Lakota Warden of Browning. Both shot 80.
Kyle Parker of Bigfork is eighth with an 81.
Tyler Engebretson of Polson and Stephen Masters of Anaconda both shot 82, which ties them for ninth.
"Just go out tomorrow and play golf," Nelson said of what advice he'll give his boys for the final 18.
"They should finish it off tomorrow."
Under Nelson, Whitefish has won seven state title. All total, the Whitefish boys have 10.
On the girls side, Billings Central, 363, Whitefish, 370, and Polson, 372, are the top three teams.
"We had one of our worst days of the year," Nelson said.
"I would think we would come roaring back tomorrow. Last year we were down by 12 after the first day and we wound up winning by 12."
Katelyn Frank of Sidney shot a 79 for the first-day lead.
Jackie Mee of Libby is holding down second place and is three shots back with an 82.
The talented Mee helped Libby defeat Bigfork on Thursday evening in volleyball with a 16-kill, one-block effort.
BreAnna Cameron had the best round for Whitefish with an 85. That puts her fourth.
Polson's Julia DiGiallonardo, 86, is tied for fifth.
Also in the top 10 are Sara Keenan of Bigfork and Kiley McConnell of Whitefish. They are tied with Katy Peterson of Glendive for ninth place. All three shot 91.
Tournament play concludes today.
Boys
Team Totals
Whitefish 312, Billings Central 332, Laurel 348, Hamilton 350, Livingston 350, Belgrade 360, Miles City 363, Polson 364, Bigfork 365, Anaconda 379, Stevensville 393, Lewistown 393.
Top 10
Reed Platke, Whitefish 76
Jeremy Jensen, Havre 77
Daniel Markus, Whitefish 78
Joel Mallams, Whitefish 78
Lakota Warden, Browning 80
Zach Maassen, Whitefish 80
Preston Matchet, Billings Central 80
Kyle Parker, Bigfork 81
Stephen Masters, Anaconda 82
Tyler Engebretson, Polson 82
Girls
Team Totals
Billings Central 363, Whitefish 370, Polson 371, Anaconda 388, Miles City 389, Laurel 391, Livingston 393, Bigfork 418, Browning 445, Hamilton 452, Belgrade 462
Top 10
Katelyn Frank, Sidney 79
Jackie Mee, Libby 82
Hannah McPherson, Glendive 84
BreAnna Cameron, Whitefish 85
Julia DiGiallonardo, Polson 86
Kyla Clancy, Billings Central 86
Chere Anderson, Billings Central 88
Capri Ingram, Livingston 90
Sara Keenan, Bigfork 91
Katy Peterson, Glendive 91
Kiley McConnell, Whitefish 91