St. Regis golf team on par for spring season
Adam Robertson/Mineral Independent | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 8 months AGO
<p>Senior Keenan Clute tracks his ball's progress as junior Ashley Chessman swings for a shot of her own during one of the first practice sessions of the St. Regis golf team. </p>
ST. REGIS – With a golf course right in their backyards, the St. Regis team had an opening advantage as they began their practice sessions for the spring season.
The team is expected to have seven members. There were four guys and two girls at their practice on Friday, March 21, though Head Coach Dan Park said one more guy would be joining later. He noted this was a smaller team than they have had in the past and some golfers had gone to the track and field team this year. While it was small, he was still happy with the team’s size.
“This is actually a good size to have because I can work with them a lot more individually than I could when we had 18 players,” Park said.
The team already has a good start as all but one person is returning from last year’s team. There is only one senior and the majority of the team is made up of sophomores.
Friday’s practice was one of their first days on the course. Because of lingering snow drifts, the team was unable to use the full course. Park said he showed the kids videos of golf for the first couple days to make up for the lost practical experience.
Even after being allowed onto the course, the team has been unable to make full shots for the green. Park said the ground is still too soggy in many places for them to shoot more than a few yards. Despite the handicaps, he felt the team already had good skills.
“Really, I think they’re looking pretty good,” Park said.
He said the team was very coachable, taking his advice and instructions well. The coach felt this was another advantage to a smaller team.
Park felt all five of the boys on the team were strong players who could do well and go all the way to state. For the girls, he said junior Ashley Cheesman was another strong player who he took to several tournaments last year and could go all the way as well.
Seeley-Swan is expected to be one of the top teams this year. Park said he knew the team made it to state a few times in the last couple years. He recalled their girls were good players too, but did not know how many graduated last year. The coach felt Superior would be another strong team to contend with. Park had no information about what the teams from the east end of the state would be like.
With a smaller group, the team is also able to pick up new tactics faster. Park felt the team would be ready for tournament play in time for the first meet.
“I’m hoping to get two qualified in [the Missoula] tournament,” Park said. “We won’t embarrass ourselves there.”
The team’s first competitions will be Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, in Missoula. Because the meet will be held during spring break, Park was not sure who he would be taking to the tournament. While all of the boys said they would be in town, both girls planned to be out of the area.
ARTICLES BY ADAM ROBERTSON/MINERAL INDEPENDENT
Grand Opening
The new St. Regis Senior Center was dedicated to Maxine Flemming, a member of the center since 1983. Her name and picture appears on a plaque to be displayed in the new center.
Icy highways lead to a weekend of accidents
MINERAL COUNTY – As blizzard-like conditions swept through the area late last week Interstate 90 became an ice rink and accident reports flooded in as traffic tried to navigate the hazardous roads. The heavy snows began on Thursday, Feb. 27, and only let up periodically over the next few days. According to Mineral County Sheriff’s Office dispatch, approximately 12 accidents occurred between Thursday and Sunday, March 2. Most of these were cases where vehicles slid off the road or spun out. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Burton, they were almost all caused by people driving too fast on the slick roads. “The weather has definitely been a factor,” Burton said. “People need to slow down a bit.” Burton also responded to an accident where a vehicle with a trailer hit some ice and the trailer fell over. On Friday, Feb. 28, Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas and the Mineral County Sheriff’s Deputies were kept busy for most of the day assisting with the flood of calls. While there were no investigations opened, the sheriff’s office was on hand to help with the accidents. While the Superior ambulances were also busy responding to calls, there were very few serious injuries. According to Mineral Community Hospital personnel, the hospital did not see many people with injuries resulting from the conditions. Burton said the Montana Department of Transportation was doing the best they could to keep Interstate 90 and the state highways clear. It was a daunting task as the cold temperatures and heavy snow kept the roads slick. The Montana Highway Patrol recommends everyone drive safely and go a safe speed for the road conditions.
Bobcats
Tucker Smith moves to block a Hot Springs player during a Superior home game earlier this season.