Desmarais, Cheney lead Labor Day golf tourney

Scott Desmarais of Calgary shot a 5-under 65 on the Cameron 9 to take the first-day lead in the 73rd Labor Day golf tournament at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

Ryan Buls of Kalispell and Craig Hurlbert of Woodlands, Texas, are both two shots back.

The first two flights of the men's championship backet played the Cameron 9 twice on Saturday. They will play the final 36 holes on the Championship 18 today and Monday. Play begins at 8 a.m. both days.

Desmarais won this tournament four years ago.

"He played pretty solid," Buffalo Hill head golf professional Dave Broeder said of Desmarais.

"He negotiated the fast greens on the Cameron. It got a little breezy as the day went on, more challenging, but most folks handled it pretty well."

Logan Lindholm of Kalispell and Kyle Mossfeldt of Whitefish are tied for fourth with 69s.

In women's play, the top four spots are held by local golfers. Jeanette Cheney of Whitefish leads the way with a 9-over 83 on the Championship 18. Former champion Debbie Boreson of Kalispell is second and one shot back.

Teigan Avery and Paula Pervais, both of Kalispell, and Georgia Desmarais of Calgary are tied for third with 86s.

Saturday's Top Scores

Men

Scott Desmarais, Calgary 65

Ryan Buls, Kalispell 67

Craig Hurlbert, Woodlands, Texas 67

Logan Lindholm, Kalispell 69

Kyle Mossfeldt, Whitefish 69

Doug Spark, Calgary 71

Shawn Tucker, Whitefish 71

Dave Morberg, Whitefish 72

Tom Desmarais, Calgary 72

Steve Lucas, Polson 73

Jose Chirino, Kalispell 74

Eric Fenton, Vancouver, Wash., 74

Dan Kiley, Seattle 74

Aaron Young, Kalispell 74

Justin Door, Boise 74

Logan Iverson, Kalispell 74

Women

Jeanette Cheney, Whitefish 83

Debbie Boreson, Kalispell 84

Teigan Avery, Kalispell 86

Paula Pervais, Kalispell 86

Georgia Desmarais, Calgary 86

Jerie Clark, Lakeside 88

Sherri Sonju, Kalispell 89

Debbie Hadley, Kalispell 90

Katelyn Inlow, Calgary 90

Vicki Weishaar, Polson 91

Hillary Harris, Billings 92