The Libby High School golf teams had their first competition of the season at the Columbia Falls Invitational Golf Tournament at Meadow Lake Golf Course on Wednesday.

With five new players, Golf Head Coach Dann Rohrer said the teams still had a great experience on the challenging course.

The girls team placed third overall, with a combined 448. Junior Allie Snyder led the Lady Loggers with a 108, placing 6th overall. Close behind, seniors Sammee Bradeen and Emily Carvey both shot 112, making 9th and 10th places.

Junior Sydney Croucher followed next in 13th place with 116, and in her first ever competition less than a week after taking up golf, sophomore Kayley Svendsbye made 146.

Having four girls place in the top 15 shows the strength of the team, Rohrer said. Only ten shots separated first and third place.

With a team of mostly young or brand new players, the boys had a combined 495, finishing 8th overall. The sole veteran player for the boys at the tournament, junior Trey Thompson led the Loggers with 107, followed by freshman Landon Haddock with 120. Junior Alex Svendsbye had 131, followed by freshman Eric Vinion with 137 and sophomore Keilen Rausch with 149.

Rohrer said he felt the course from Wednesday will be the toughest the teams will face all year.

“I am proud of all of their efforts,” he said by email. “Many of the players spent a good deal of time on the course this summer and it pays off in competition.”

Rohrer said their goal is to drop a few shots each tournament.

The Loggers will play again Saturday, when they travel to the Browning Invitational.