Wolfpack, Luke Nelson rally to win Helena golf titles
HELENA — Call them the Comeback Wolfpack.
With Luke Nelson claiming medalist honors and Torren Murray shooting the low round of the day, a 69, the Glacier boys surged to the boys team title at the Helena Invitational Thursday at the Bill Roberts Golf Course.
Nelson followed his 68 from Wednesday with a 72 and finished at 4-under, one stroke ahead of both Murray and first-round co-leader John Gilbert of Helena Capital.
Glacier had a team total of 299 to climb past three teams on Thursday; the Wolfpack had a two-day total of 593. Helena Capital was second at 596.
“Great tournament for the Wolfpack boys and girls,” coach Jim Ness said. “They both made comebacks on Day 2, with the boys winning by three shots and the girls climbing to a third-place finish in cool, windy conditions.
“Luke Nelson and Torren Murray battled right to the end.”
Nelson’s first individual title wasn’t easy: He was 5-under going to the final hole, while Gilbert was 2-under. Nelson bogeyed the par-5 18 but Gilbert’s birdie wasn’t enough.
Murray, who had an eagle on No. 8 Thursday, was also 5-under going to 18 but closed with a double, dropping into a tie with Gilbert at 3-under.
Sam Syvertsen climbed into the boys top 15 for Glacier on Thursday as well, shooting a 78.
Glacier’s girls were fifth after the first day but made up the nine strokes that separated them from Gallatin and Billings Senior.
Maggie Mitton and Kendall Tkachyk each shot 86 Thursday, both finishing in the top 10. Vaida Cole (91) and Lillie Groom (97) also went lower the second day for the Pack.
“I’m proud of how the kids fought hard and finished strong,” Ness said.
Flathead finished ninth in both team races. The top Bravette was Haiden Ward, with a two-day total of 207.
Freshman Andrew Converse was Flathead’s top boy golfer, tying for 26th with a two-day total of 161.
Helena Invitational
Wednesday and Thursday
Bill Roberts Golf Course
BOYS
Team scores — 1, Glacier 294-299—593; 2, Helena Capital 290-306—596; 3, Bozeman 293-315—608; 4, Gallatin 290-319—609; 5, Helena 300-318—618; 6, Billings Skyview 310-315—625; 7, Billings West 307-323—630; 8, Billings Senior 321-332—653; 9, Flathead 326-344—670.
Individual Top 15
Luke Nelson, Glacier 68-72—140
Torren Murray, Glacier 72-69—141
John Gilbert, Capital 68-73—141
Austin Kaufman, Helena 71-75—146
Billy Benjamin, Skyview 71-76—147
Cooper Bourret, Bozeman 72-74—146
Jace Belzer, Capital 72-74—146
Isaac Mosser, Skyview 73-73—146
Sam Alke, Gallatin 70-78—148
Matt Gilbert, Capital 74-77—151
Cole Lozier, West 73-79—152
Caiden Pershing, Bozeman 75-78—153
Sam Syverson, Glacier 76-78—154
Bret Strobel, West 83-71—154
Brady Bechtold, Senior 78-77—155
Flathead — Andrew Converse 75-86—161, Trygve Gislason 81-83—164, Conner Gall 82-89—171, Jacobe Sullenger 88-96—184, Tucker Morin 92-86—178.
Glacier — Nelson 140, Murray 141, Syverson 154, Jonah Wynne 78-80—158, Gage Gladden 94-88—182.
GIRLS
Team scores — 1, Bozeman 330-339—669; 2, Billings West 352-349—701; 3, Glacier 369-360—729; 4, Billings Senior 360-373—733; 5, Gallatin 360-381—741; 6, Helena 394-376—770; 7, Billings Skyview 386-407—793; 8, Helena Capital 416-409—825; 9, Flathead 440-442—882.
Individual Top 15
Kira Connell, Bozeman 75-79—154
Payton Tryan, Senior 73-82—155
Heidi Huber, Bozeman 76-82—158
Paige Loberg, West 79-86—165
Anna Fenhaus, West 85-84—169
Avery Gardner, Bozeman 86-86—172
Maggie Mitton, Glacier 86-86—172
Breckin Frederick, Gallatin 89-88—177
Kendall Tkachyk, Glacier 91-86—177
Ava Bryson, Senior 87-97—184
McKenna Meyers, West 95-89—184
Aerin Ryan, Gallatin 90-95—185
Adi Tolle, Skyview 93-92—185
Isla Deibert, Bozeman 93-92—185
Karmella Saylor, West 95-90—185
Flathead — Madeline Matson 101-116—217, Haiden Ward 104-103—207, Rebecca Schmidt 113-103—216, Sienna Blanchard 122-120—242.
Glacier — Mitton 172, Tkachyk 177, Vaida Cole 96-91—187, Abbi Townsend 96-101—197, Lillie Groom 103-97—200.