As his team prepares to host its annual invitational at Cabinet View Golf Club, Libby High Coach Dann Rohrer said he was proud of how his team has developed this year.

After opening the season with a team victory in Ronan on Aug. 25, the Loggers have competed with opposing teams and inclement weather alike.  

“We were supposed to start the season in Whitefish on Aug. 20, but the rain was absolutely unbelievable,” Rohrer said.

The incremental improvements the Loggers have achieved were on display Tuesday at the Columbia Falls Invitational at Meadow Lake Golf Course. Senior Jonny Cielak won the tournament with an 83. Kyle McNew and Luke Adamson, as well as all three girls, finished in the top team. Polson and Columbia Falls also participated in the tournament.

“That course is the site of our divisional tournament,” Rohrer said. “It is a challenging course and I told the kids to be prepared for bigger numbers. I think they did a good job of doing that.”

Lily Feeback, Hanna Stewart and Asia Jones finished fourth, seventh and tenth, respectively.

Rohrer praised Jones for how far she has come in her first year on the team. Rohrer said Jones, a senior, has dropped some 30 strokes from her average round.

“If I could do that, I’d be on the pro tour,” Rohrer said with a laugh. “We start with learning how to hit the ball straight. You know, how to grip the club, what is an appropriate stance. Asia has done a great job and been a valuable member of the team.”

Leading up to Friday morning’s tournament, which tees off at 10 a.m., Rohrer encouraged his team to practice with a purpose.

“By now we know our strengths and weaknesses,” Rohrer said. “I told them to keep practicing what they are good at, but also spend more time on where they need to improve. If it is putting, take more time on that. And focus.”

The Loggers travel Monday to Missoula to compete in the Frenchtown Invitational. Frenchtown’s course is under construction and the Missoula Country Club will serve as surrogate host. The tournament is the last scheduled event before the divisional tournament at Meadow Lake. That tournament was originally scheduled for Sept. 26, but has been moved up to Sept. 25.

“That’s one of the great things about high school golf, these kids get to play at all these nice courses,” Rohrer said. “Missoula is a private club. I also want to thank Cabinet View for being the wonderful host that they are. I talk to other coaches in the area who are envious of the support we receive here. It is a tribute to our membership that the course works around our schedule to accommodate the team.”