Glacier, Flathead to host golf invitational

This season’s Kalispell golf invitational is smaller than the past, but not lacking in high-end talent.

Only five teams will play at the 36-hole tournament this season, down from eight last season, with Flathead and Glacier hosting Missoula Sentinel, Hellgate and Big Sky. The meet coincides with the Polson Invite this season, leaving many Class A programs out of the mix.

The tournament starts at Northern Pines Golf Club today before moving to Crystal Lakes Golf Course in Fortine on Friday. Crystal Lakes is new to the rotation after traditionally playing the northern leg of the tournament at Indian Springs Ranch Golf Club in Eureka. The new setting should add a bit of difficulty as nearly every player adjusts to their new surroundings.

Both courses expect to be in top shape despite heavy rain and chilly weather the past few days.

“They’re going to have it in pretty good shape for us,” Glacier coach Jim Schaible said. “We hope to have everybody in good form.”

The Glacier trio of Tom Mann, Cody Sherrill and Scott Larson have been golfing well this season, with Larson finishing third in Butte last week, leading the team to a second place team finish.

Flathead’s Ryan Keenan leads the talented Braves while Hellgate’s Brady Henthorn and Pat Colberg and Sentinel’s Logan Becker are also expected to compete for the boys medal.

On the girls side, Glacier sophomore Teigan Avery, having won this event last year, leads a young Wolfpack side against some of the best golfers in Class AA, including Hellgate’s Katie Wills.

“If we can put two good days together, we can walk away with it,” Schaible said.

The tournament starts today at 11 a.m.